Domestic Cow

Rose

Sex: Female
Birthday: June 15, 2009
Rose came to Zoo Idaho after she needed a home from a hobby farm.

Domestic Cow, Dexter (Bos taurus)

Taxonomy

Kingdom:  Animalia
Phylum:  Chordata
Class:   Mammalia
Order:  Artiodctyla
Family:  Bovidae
Genus:  Bos
Species:  Bos taurus

The Livestock Conservancy Conservation Status

Recovering

Range and Habitat

The Dexter originated in southern Ireland in the early 1800s and imported to North American beginning around 1910. They are capable of living in both hot and cold climates and do well outdoors year round.

Physical Features (Plains Bison)

Weight: Males, up to 1,000 lbs (455 kg); Females, 600–700 lbs (273–318 kg)
Shoulder height: Males, 36-50 in (0.9-1.3 m); Females, 34–46 in (0.86–1.2 m)

Dexter’s are one of the smallest cattle breeds with a solid compact appearance. Most are black with some being red or dun (gray-gold) in coloration. Two conformations are found within the breed: cattle that are proportionally small and those that have normal bodies with very short legs. The short-legged version produce non-viable offspring and are not that common.

Diet

A mixture of grass, alfalfa, and grains.

Lifespan

Dexter cattle can live 17-18 years.

Reproduction

Cows are social living in groups called herds. The herd is led by one dominant male that mates with the females. Gestation is approximately nine months with one calf being born. Calves are precocial and able to stand and recognized their mother soon after birth. Calves nurse for six months and reach sexual maturity by one year.

Social Behavior and Interaction

Herds are structured in a dominance hierarchy with calves adopting their mother’s status. Males (bulls) maintain dominance until defeated by another bull. Females share parental care.

Major Threats

Humans.