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Nötsch, Austria —(Map)
Scientists have reported the first known case of a cow using a tool. Veronika, a pet cow in Austria, was studied as she used a broom to scratch different parts of her body. The study suggests that cows may be a lot smarter than many people believe.
Veronika is no ordinary cow. That’s because she’s not a farm animal – she’s a pet. That allows her to do what she wants, when she wants to.
But Veronika often has itchy spots on her skin because of bites from horseflies. Her owner says that for years, Veronika has picked up sticks with her mouth and used them to scratch herself. She wasn’t taught to do this – she just figured it out.
(Source: Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.)
Dr. Alice Auersperg is a scientist who studies how animals solve problems. When she saw a video of Veronika in action, she was curious and wanted to learn more.
It’s rare for animals to use tools. Scientists have reported tool use in some animals, like chimpanzees, elephants, and crows. But until now, tool use has never been reported in cows.
Dr. Auersperg and her team decided to run an experiment to see if Veronika could use a broom to scratch herself. Since one end of the broom had stiff bristles, they thought Veronika might use that end to scratch herself.
Over several days, the scientists offered Veronika the broom by putting it on the ground in front of her. Veronika lifted the broom by wrapping her tongue around the handle, and then grabbing the handle with her teeth. Then she began to use the broom to scratch.
(Source: Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.)
Most of the time, Veronika used the bristled end (the broom) to scratch the tough skin on her back. But sometimes she used the stick end to scratch her belly and other areas underneath her.
At first, the scientists thought Veronika was making a mistake. But then, they realized she was choosing the best part of the broom to use on each part of her body. The bristles of the broom might have been too rough for the soft, sensitive skin lower down.
The fact that Veronika was using two different parts of the broom for different reasons is important. The scientists describe it as “multi-purpose tool use”. That’s a skill that, until now, has only been seen in chimpanzees.
(Source: Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró, University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna.)
Even so, Dr. Antonio Osuna-Mascaró, who worked with Dr. Auersperg, says, “We don’t believe that Veronika is the Einstein of cows.” Instead, they believe that most cows may be this smart, but don’t get a chance to show it. Most cows don’t live for too long, since they are usually raised for meat or to give milk.
The researchers say Veronika’s long and interesting life may have helped her develop. Veronika is 13 years old. And, as a pet, she’s had many chances to learn and grow.
Dr. Auersperg points out that for thousands of years, cows have lived with humans. She says that maybe the surprising part is not that cows can use tools, but that humans have never thought that they might be smart.
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