Search results
Cattle (Bos taurus) are large, domesticated, bovid ungulates widely kept as livestock. They are prominent modern members of the subfamily Bovinae and the most widespread species of the genus Bos. Mature female cattle are called cows and mature male cattle are bulls.
May 3, 1999 · Learn about cattle, domesticated bovine farm animals that are raised for meat, milk, or hides or for draft purposes. Compare different breeds of beef and dairy cattle, their characteristics, distribution, and history.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
- What are cattle?Cattle are domesticated bovine farm animals raised for their meat, milk, or hides or for draft purposes.
- What animals are considered cattle?Animals included under the term cattle are the Western or European domesticated cattle and the Indian and African domesticated cattle. Other bovids...
- What species do modern domestic cattle belong to?All modern domestic cattle belong to the species Bos taurus (European breeds such as Shorthorn and Jersey) or Bos indicus (Zebu breeds such as Brah...
Over 1000 breeds of cattle are recognized worldwide, some of which adapted to the local climate, others which were bred by humans for specialized uses. Cattle breeds fall into two main types, which are regarded as either two closely related species, or two subspecies of one species.
BreedSubspeciesCountry/region Of OriginMeatTaurusScotlandMeat—EthiopiaMeatTaurusEthiopia—TaurusFranceMeatLearn about cow, a domestic bovine of the species Bos taurus, and its natural history, adaptations, and economic uses. Find out how cows are related to other ruminants, such as moose, elephants, and whales, and how they differ from chickens.
NameDistributionCharacteristicsCommentsAngus, or Aberdeen-Angusoriginally Scotland, now also United ...hornless, black, compact, low-setadapts well to varied climatesBeefmasterdeveloped in Texas, 1908red, usually with white spotsbreed trademarked Lasater BeefmasterBelgian Blueoriginally Belgium, now also United ...large with prominent muscles; straight ...hardyBelted Gallowayoriginally Galloway, southwest Scotlandusually black; distinctive white belt ...hardy; thrives in rigorous climateCattle is a word for certain mammals that belong to the genus Bos. Cattle may be cows, bulls, oxen, or calves. Cattle are the most common type of large domesticated hoofed animals. They are a prominent modern member of the subfamily Bovinae. Cattle are large grazing animals with two-toed or cloven hooves and a four-chambered
Beef cattle are cattle raised for meat production (as distinguished from dairy cattle, used for milk production). The meat of mature or almost mature cattle is mostly known as beef . In beef production there are three main stages: cow-calf operations, backgrounding, and feedlot operations.
Learn about the most popular cattle breeds in America, their characteristics, and how to identify them. See pictures of Black Angus, Holstein, Red Angus, Jersey, and more.
