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Science Friday
To This Neuroscientist, Cows Are Like Puppies
Sep 11, 2024
Dr. Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist and author, discusses the surprising emotional intelligence of cows, paralleling their behavior to dogs. He shares insights from his journey of raising cows in the Georgia countryside. Topics include cows’ social bonds, their affectionate behaviors, and the cognitive skills that challenge common perceptions of bovine intelligence. Berns also highlights the therapeutic benefits of spending time with cows, showcasing the unique, humorous bond he formed with them, including a playful bull named Ricky Bobby.
18:08
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Quick takeaways
- Cows exhibit remarkable intelligence and emotional depth, showing behaviors such as self-awareness and social bonding similar to dogs.
- Interacting with cows can provide therapeutic benefits for humans, fostering relaxation and emotional connections that enrich both species.
Deep dives
Understanding Cow Intelligence and Emotion
Cows exhibit a surprising level of intelligence and emotional capacity that is often underestimated. Research by Dr. Gregory Burns highlights that cows can display emotions in ways even more demonstrative than dogs, fostering deep social bonds akin to those seen in canines. For instance, cows have been observed to recognize their reflections in mirrors, showing a level of self-awareness that typically only dogs, dolphins, and chimpanzees demonstrate. This suggests that cows possess unique cognitive functions that warrant more extensive study beyond their traditional production-focused research.
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