Cows talk to each about how they feel, study finds
3 March 2020
Independent
Academic dubs research similar to ‘Google translate’ for cattle
Cows can ‘talk’ to each other about how they feel through their moos according to a new study.
The animals have individual vocal characteristics and change their pitch depending on their emotions, according to research by the University of Sydney.
Alexandra Green, the study’s lead author, said: “Cows are gregarious, social animals. In one sense it isn’t surprising they assert their individual identity throughout their life.”
“This is the first time we have been able to analyse voice to have conclusive evidence of this trait.”
The study recorded 333 samples of cow grunts and moos and analysed them.
The study found that cows use their voice to help them maintain contact with the herd and express excitement, arousal, engagement or distress.
Talking about the animals she studied, Ms Green said:
“They have all got very distinct voices. Even without looking at them in the herd, I can tell which one is making a noise just based on her voice.”
