A "moo, moo" here and a "moo, moo" there may sound like noisy nonsense. But cows aren't just mooing to make a racket, scientists say. They're actually talking to each other. Sometimes, they're even talking about the weather!
Cows understand some human words. They can react when they're called by name. They can also follow simple commands. Now, people can understand cow language, too. That's because scientists have learned a lot about cow communication.
Cows make mooing sounds in two ways. When the cows are close together, they keep their mouths closed. They make quiet sounds through their noses. When the cows are farther apart, they open their mouths to moo loudly. And not all moos are alike. The scientists recorded hundreds of cow sounds for five months. They watched what the cows were doing when they made different moo sounds.
When cows seemed happy, their moos were deep and rich. They made this type of sound at mealtime. Cows that seemed sad made another sound. They mooed differently when they were apart from their herd. When there was bad weather, the cows appeared to groan about it to each other. They made a sound with a very low pitch.
Cows don't just have moos with different meanings. They also have their own personalities. Some cows are shy, and other cows are chatty, mooing nonstop. And, as with people, each cow's voice has its own sound. Ever hear a human voice and know who's talking without seeing the person's face? Cows can do this, too! The scientists discovered that cows communicate with each other throughout their livesSo why does it matter what the cows are saying? Farmers who tune in to the animals' chatter can figure out what their cows need.
Other scientists' work may help with that, too. They've learned what farmers can do to help keep cows happy and calm. Cows like soothing voices better than the sound of people shouting. Cows are happier when humans speak softly. Also, cows seem calmer when they are given names. They like to be treated as individuals.
Good relationships between farmers and cows are a win for both groups. When cows are calm, they produce more milk. And named cows have been shown to make a lot more milk than cows without names!
So, the next time you hear cows, listen closely. You might be able to tell what kind of moooood they're in!
Think about the article. What kind of moos do cows make at mealtime?
Cows make a sound that is quiet and shy at mealtime.
Cows make a sound that sounds like a groan at mealtime.
Cows make a sound that is rich and deep at mealtime.
Cows make a sound that has a high pitch at mealtime.