Researchers have long known that animals are capable of clever problem-solving, but it's only when we look closely at our own behaviour that we start to see them in a new light.
A recent study published in Current Biology has shed new light on the intelligence of cows. A 13-year-old brown Swiss pet cow named Veronika was observed using a broom to scratch her backside, demonstrating a level of tool use previously unseen in cattle. The clever cow uses the blunt end of the broom for sensitive skin and the bristly end for thicker skin on her upper back and buttocks.
This discovery is not surprising to many animal experts, who have spent years observing the complex behaviour of animals in their care. "We consistently underestimate the abilities of non-human animals, even when the evidence is all around," says Helen Pilcher, a science writer.
The story of Veronika highlights the limitations of our perception and how we tend to view ourselves as uniquely capable of intelligence and tool use. We've long believed that humans are the only species to exhibit complex problem-solving skills, but examples of animal tool use abound.
From sea otters using stones to dislodge molluscs anchored to the sea floor, to New Caledonian crows fashioning exquisite hooks from plant stems to extract larvae from logs, it's clear that animals have been solving problems and adapting to their environments for millions of years.
Pilcher notes that our tendency to view ourselves as superior to other species is rooted in our own biases and assumptions. "We've become so blind that we fail to see how animals are both smarter and more like us than we give them credit for," she says.
Rather than trying to redefine what it means to be human, Pilcher suggests that we need to reevaluate our place within the natural world and accept that we're not as special as we often claim. "Cows, on the other hand, are incredibly smart animals," she writes.
The story of Veronika serves as a reminder that there's still much to learn about the intelligence and capabilities of non-human animals, and that our understanding of the natural world is always evolving.
A recent study published in Current Biology has shed new light on the intelligence of cows. A 13-year-old brown Swiss pet cow named Veronika was observed using a broom to scratch her backside, demonstrating a level of tool use previously unseen in cattle. The clever cow uses the blunt end of the broom for sensitive skin and the bristly end for thicker skin on her upper back and buttocks.
This discovery is not surprising to many animal experts, who have spent years observing the complex behaviour of animals in their care. "We consistently underestimate the abilities of non-human animals, even when the evidence is all around," says Helen Pilcher, a science writer.
The story of Veronika highlights the limitations of our perception and how we tend to view ourselves as uniquely capable of intelligence and tool use. We've long believed that humans are the only species to exhibit complex problem-solving skills, but examples of animal tool use abound.
From sea otters using stones to dislodge molluscs anchored to the sea floor, to New Caledonian crows fashioning exquisite hooks from plant stems to extract larvae from logs, it's clear that animals have been solving problems and adapting to their environments for millions of years.
Pilcher notes that our tendency to view ourselves as superior to other species is rooted in our own biases and assumptions. "We've become so blind that we fail to see how animals are both smarter and more like us than we give them credit for," she says.
Rather than trying to redefine what it means to be human, Pilcher suggests that we need to reevaluate our place within the natural world and accept that we're not as special as we often claim. "Cows, on the other hand, are incredibly smart animals," she writes.
The story of Veronika serves as a reminder that there's still much to learn about the intelligence and capabilities of non-human animals, and that our understanding of the natural world is always evolving.
I mean, can you believe it? Cows are like little genius problem solvers! They're using tools and stuff, just like sea otters and crows do. It's crazy how much we underestimate animal intelligence. We think humans are the only ones who can figure out ways to solve problems, but nope, cows can do that too. And it's not just about solving problems, it's about adapting to their environment and being super resourceful. I mean, who needs a fancy degree when you've got a broom and some cleverness? 
It's all about perspective and realizing we're not as special as we think we are... which, let's be real, is kinda a good thing 
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! I mean, using a broom like it's no big deal? It just goes to show we're not as smart as we think we are 
. Like, sea otters can dislodge molluscs with stones and crows make hooks from plant stems... our ancestors used rocks to hunt, right? 
The thing is, I don't think it's about being superior or inferior, it's just about accepting we're part of the animal kingdom too 
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. And don't even get me started on parrots – they're like tiny little therapists with their mimicry skills 
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. And Veronika the cow using a broom? That's just cute 
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or crows making hooks from plant stems 
. It just goes to show that intelligence isn't exclusive to us. Veronika the cow using a broom to scratch her backside is basically like me trying to find my way around my messy room without any help 
like sea otters dislodging molluscs with stones or crows making hooks from plant stems... animals are basically superheroes in disguise 
. It's crazy how we always think humans are the only ones with problem-solving skills... nope, animals have been solving it for ages 
. Veronika is literally the coolest cow ever 
I don't know, but I think this whole thing is just making me more curious about the world around us.
it's literally like they're trying out for the role of detective in animal kingdom lol i was reading about how cows are super smart too & i'm like yeah no kidding i had a pet cow when i was a kid she used to eat all my favorite shoes 
i mean sea otters usein stones 2 get food from the ground and crows fashionin hooks 4 larvae... it's like they're tryin 2 outdo us or somethin 
meanwhile cows r out here using brooms like pros 
, but these girls are over here using tools like it's nobodies business 
it's like they're trying to outsmart us or something! Anyway, I'm all about accepting that we're not the only clever creatures in town 
. Maybe we can learn a thing or two from our bovine friends 
. It makes you think about how we view ourselves in relation to nature and other creatures. Maybe we're not as special as we thought? It's a good thing scientists like Pilcher are keeping us humble 
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avg human lifespan 70yrs vs cows avg 20yr lifespan 
life's short but smart cows make the most of it 
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