Ever wonder why a group of cows align themselves with one another?

Lynne

Lynne

Master of Arts
Joined
May 4, 2007
Messages
1,571
Reaction score
30
Location
Northeast, USA
Maybe this question hasn't plagued you since the age of 5 like it has me. But I've always wondered why a herd of cows will face the same direction. Horses often do, too. I can't say I've ever seen cats or chickens do so.

Apparently, cows have a magnetic compass. They align themselves with the earth's north-south magnetic poles.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20080826/ts_afp/usscienceanimal;_ylt=AoJqNBQE5LrumIVwHJklYRCGOrgF

Now, aren't you smarter than before?
 
Heard this on the radio this morning...I think it is kinda cool. I also believe there are many similar things in nature that we are just now learning.
 
jkembry said:
Heard this on the radio this morning...I think it is kinda cool. I also believe there are many similar things in nature that we are just now learning.
Click to expand...
It really is interesting. I'd like to know how dogs find their way home when they have been stranded/lost miles away.
 
I've been driving past cattle pastures to get to class for years and have also noticed they will gather when a storm is on the way. Sometimes in a particular corner of the pasture, sometimes in other places. It's fascinating.
 
I think I could've lived the rest of my life not realizing that I didn't know this ... and died a happy man.
 
Now I have to wonder about the cows who do not face the same direction as the rest of the herd. Is that because they are rebels, revolutionaries, or just let their nose lead them to another grassy patch?
 
Lynne said:
Now I have to wonder about the cows who do not face the same direction as the rest of the herd. Is that because they are rebels, revolutionaries, or just let their nose lead them to another grassy patch?
Click to expand...
Probably it's because they ate a small piece of broken barbed wire that screwed up their magnetic properties. :idunno:
 
I thought it was for better cell phone reception? :idunno:
 
Lynne said:
It really is interesting. I'd like to know how dogs find their way home when they have been stranded/lost miles away.
Click to expand...

I find it really interesting too and I've always wondered about the dogs who travel ungodly miles to find their lost families.

CoryKS said:
See, this is why I eat beef. These things are creepy and can't be trusted.
Click to expand...

:lfao:

Lynne said:
Now I have to wonder about the cows who do not face the same direction as the rest of the herd. Is that because they are rebels, revolutionaries, or just let their nose lead them to another grassy patch?
Click to expand...

Ummmm....those are the *slow* cows. :D
 
I always thought they just turned their bums to the wind to keep warm!!
 
So, if I dunk my Oreo cookie in a glass of milk from a magnetic cow, will it rotate clockwise or counterclockwise?
 
Ninjamom said:
So, if I dunk my Oreo cookie in a glass of milk from a magnetic cow, will it rotate clockwise or counterclockwise?
Click to expand...
If it's raw unpastuerized milk, the oreo cookie will rotate clockwise. If you are using processed, homogenzied, pasteurized milk, the cookie will sink. :D
 
shesulsa said:
I've been driving past cattle pastures to get to class for years and have also noticed they will gather when a storm is on the way. Sometimes in a particular corner of the pasture, sometimes in other places. It's fascinating.
Click to expand...

I saw this the other day as a rain storm approached the cows all turned to face away from it. Very interesting.
icon6.gif
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

9-year-old boy told he's too good to pitch

Previous Thread

Addictive and Challenging Physics Based Puzzle Game

Next Thread

Latest Discussions

Back
Top