How to Speak a Cow's Language: Scientists Eavesdrop on Cattle Conversations

Did you know that cows speak? Scientists have been eavesdropping on "conversations" between calves and their mothers, using detailed acoustic analysis to figure out exactly how cows manage to communicate.

Scientists have long thought that cows use individualized calls to communicate with each other. In order to find out whether this was the case or not, though, the researchers spent ten months studying the ways cows communicate with their young, examining acoustic indicators of identity and age.

"This is the first time that complex cattle calls have been analyzed using the latest and best techniques," said Alan McElligott, one of the researchers, in a news release. "Our results provide an excellent foundation for investigating vocal indicators of cattle welfare."

The researchers were able to identify two distinct maternal "calls." When cows were close to their calves, they communicated with them using low frequency calls. When they were separated, though, their calls were louder and at a much higher frequency. Calves, in contrast, called out to their mothers when they wanted to start suckling-and all three of these calls were individualized.

"The research shows for the first time that mother-offspring cattle 'calls' are individualized-each calf and cow have a characteristic and exclusive call of their own," said Monica Padilla, one of the researchers. "Acoustic analysis also reveals that certain information is conveyed within the calf calls-age, but not gender."

The findings reveal a bit more about how cows communicate. This, in turn, could be incorporated into agricultural research when it comes to cattle ranching.

The findings are published in the journal Applied Animal Behavior Science.

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