Cow Quiz – Get To Know Our Bovine Friends

Written by Heather Hall — Published: February 13, 2023

How to Play:

Pay close attention to the image and captions provided to help you figure out the answer.

A cow is a mammal with four legs and a furry coat. Cows are herbivores, meaning they mainly feed on grass and other vegetation. They have four-chambered stomachs, which allow them to digest their food more efficiently. Cows are social animals and tend to form herds, with one dominant individual leading the group. Adult cows can reach up to 2,500 00 pounds in weight and measure 4-6 feet from head to tail. In addition, cows can produce food and milk for human consumption, which makes them an important part of many agricultural systems around the world.

But how much do you know about cows? Are you ready to test your bovine book of knowledge?

Cattle herd — Angusmclellan – Public Domain

What is the scientific name for the cow?

Bos taurus

Bos indicus

Bos primigenius

Bos bovis

Adaptaur cow — Cgoodwin / Creative Commons

What is the average lifespan of a cow?

5-10 years

11-15 years

16-20 years

21-25 years

A British White cow at the Romsey Show — Malcolm Morley – Public Domain

What is the average weight of a male Dexter or Jersey cow?

400-600 lbs

601-800 lbs

801-1000 lbs

1001-1200 lbs

What is the average weight of Charolais, Marchigiana, or Belgian Blue Cow?

400-600 lbs

601-800 lbs

900-1,200 lbs

1,400-2,400 lbs

What cognitive abilities do cows have?

Long term memory

Facial recognition

Vocal recognition

All of the above

Cows have one stomach with four compartments. True of False

False

True

Cows kill more than 20 people in the United States each year, and the cause of death is most often blunt force trauma to the head or chest. Most victims are farmworkers who are trampled, crushed, or gored. — Laura Hedien/Shutterstock.com

What types of diet to cows eat?

Herbivorous

Omnivorous

Carnivorous

Frugivorous

The tiny gentle Vechur cows were so greatly valued that at one time well wishers presented them as wedding gifts — Asok Mathew/Shutterstock.com

How long are cows pregnant?

3 months

6 months

9 months

12 months

How much do baby cows weigh?

55-95 pounds

95-125 pounds

125-175 pounds

176-225 pounds

How old was Big Bertha, the oldest cow in history?

Cattle were first domesticated over 10,000 years ago — Gatien GREGORI/Shutterstock.com

Cows are very social animals and isolation causes extreme stress. True or False?

True

False

Domestic cows are curious about new things in their environment — Alena Demidyuk/Shutterstock.com

Cows have vision that is more color sensitive than humans. True or False?

True

False

Rodeo dates more than 5,000 years back. — Brett Holmes/Shutterstock.com

Bulls are enraged by the color red. True or False?

True

False

The majority of the food that cows consume is essentially grass. — iStock.com/Toltek

What is a baby cow called?

Calf

Cub

Fledgling

Whelp

Calves can recognize their mothers voices. True or False?

True

False

Irish moiled cow and calf — Jane Stanley/Shutterstock.com

Under natural conditions, how long to calves nurse?

11 months

9 months

6 months

3 months

All cows have horns. True or False?

True

False

How long ago were cows domesticated?

2,500 years

5,000 years

10,500 years

50,000 years

Highland cattle are noted for their long shaggy coats. — attilio pregnolato/Shutterstock.com

Cows can sleep deeply standing up. True or False?

True

False

How many nipples does a cow have?

Cows are farmed for which products?

Meat

Milk

Hide

All of the Above

Cows will tip over if you push on them. True or False?

True

False

How long do cows sleep in a 24 hour period, on average?

4 hours

7 hours

9 hours

12 hours

Cows are used in which of the following sporting games?

Rodeo

Bullfighting

Festivals

All of the above

A cow's stomach doesn't contain any stomach acid. — SehrguteFotos/Shutterstock.com

How many cows are eaten each years in the U.S.?

2 million

10 million

15 million

30 million

brown cow laying in the field — Flying broccoli/Shutterstock.com

What is a male cow called?

Bull

Stud

Cow

Heifer

PAMPLONA, SPAIN -JULY 14: Unidentified men run from bulls in street Estafeta during San Fermin festival in Pamplona, Spain on July 14, 2013. — Migel/Shutterstock.com

Can cows swim?

Yes

Dester cattle are only small but are a popular breed with smallholders — Ralf Gosch/Shutterstock.com

How many miles away can a cow smell?

1 mile away

3 miles away

5 miles away

6 miles away

Cows are truly remarkable animals with unique personalities and behavior. They’re able to form strong bonds with humans, which makes them a great addition to any family or farm. Cows can also be trained for specific tasks, like herding livestock or pulling carts. Not only that, but cows possess the same five senses as us – sight, smell, taste, hearing, and touch – allowing them to interact with their environment in ways we sometimes take for granted.

We hope you enjoyed learning more about these incredible creatures through this fun quiz! Understanding how amazing cows really are is sure to bring an appreciation of these animals that goes beyond burgers and milkshakes.

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About the Author

Heather Hall

I am a freelance writer with 22 years of experience. I live in the Pacific Northwest and am surrounded by nature. When I go for my daily runs I often see herds of elk, deer, and bald eagles. I am owned by two dogs who take me on hikes in the mountains where we see coyotes, black bears, and wild turkeys.