Cows were first domesticated about 10,000 years ago. Since then, humans have selectively bred them for certain qualities. These qualities are often practical, but sometimes, quite extraordinary. So there are various types of cows in the world.
Over the course of history, cows have bonded strongly with humans to become widely revered for all sorts of essentials: from food, clothing, and of course, a good ol’ patty between the buns. Yikes!
Well, through selective breeding and controlling, we have been able to modify them to all manner of shapes and sizes, playing Mother Nature herself. Keeping this in mind, we will take a look at the top 08 most unusual cows you probably didn’t know existed.
1. Ankole-Watusi Cow
Deep in rural Africa, the Ankole-Watusi cow is a native breed to the continent and is highly-revered as a key part of pastoral life in Sub-Saharan Africa. The bulls of this particular breed grow some of the longest and most impressive horns in the world!
Well, let’s not forget that the Texas Longhorn reigns as the undisputed champ. Not that they are in competition or anything, but these horns come pretty close, growing a jaw-dropping 8 feet when measured from end to end. Despite their horns looking a tad too large for their bodies, they do serve their purpose.
In fact, they are designed like this to provide a large surface area for cooling, as well as ward off any predators, like the African lion, that might be thinking of having them on the menu! But with horns like that, who would be ballsy enough to make you a meal in the first place?
2. Knickers the Bull
If you’ve ever wondered where the largest cow is, then look no further. Today, you’ll find that the true title-holder is a towering behemoth that stands head and shoulders above the competition. Meet Knickers, the bull.
He became a media sensation in 2018 when photos and videos surfaced on the internet claiming that the king of cows was sitting atop his throne in the land down under, Australia. A titan with the average height of an NBA point guard, 6’4, Knickers is impossible to miss.
That’s because he dwarfs the average bull of his breed, who stands a meager 5’8. And that’s not all: He weighs a jaw-dropping 1.5 tonnes. He was initially meant for the slaughterhouse, but when his owners noticed that he was unable to fit through the door, they decided to spare him. Which goes to show that sometimes, Braun does really matter!
3. The Hallikar Cow
One of the rarest cows in the world, the Hallikar cow is native to only Karnataka, India. In fact, these cows are so rare that we’re sure most people had no idea they even existed! But don’t worry, you’ll know all about this amazing cow in a few seconds!
Unlike your standard cow, the Hallikar cow boasts unique horns that are curved vertically inside. As for the bulls, they are quite the standout feature as they possess an uncanny humpback, and are one of the few cows in the world whose image appears on government post stamps.
How many cows can boast about that, right? While most cows are reared for their meat, these cows seem to have it really great in India. They’re rarely slaughtered, and you probably won’t find them selling at your local grocery store.
For one, cows in India are considered to be some of the most sacred animals on the planet. What’s more, natives of the Karnataka region consider these cows to be the most valuable possessions in the whole of India.
