Cattle

Cattle are domesticated bovine animals belonging to the species *Bos taurus* (European cattle) and *Bos indicus* (Zebu), both descended from the extinct wild aurochs (*Bos primigenius*). A single animal is called **cattle** (though "cow" is often used generically, it technically refers only to females), while a group is known as a **herd**, **drove**, or **mob** of cattle. The male is called a **bull** if intact, or a **steer** if castrated; the female is a **cow** once she has given birth to a calf, and a **heifer** before that. Young cattle are called **calves** (singular: **calf**). Cattle are large, sturdy animals with cloven hooves, broad muzzles, and complex digestive systems featuring a four-chambered stomach, allowing them to break down tough plant material through rumination. They vary widely in color and size depending on breed, but most have horns (though many modern breeds are naturally polled—hornless—or are dehorned for safety). Common synonyms include **bovines**, **beef** (referring to meat-producing animals), and **dairy cows** (milk-producing females), while regionally they may be called **kine** (archaic plural) or **beasts** in farming contexts.

Cattle are raised in nearly every country and thrive in a wide range of habitats, from lush pastures and temperate grasslands to arid rangelands and highland farms. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, often in managed agricultural systems such as ranches, feedlots, and dairy farms. While wild aurochs are extinct, feral cattle populations exist in places like Australia (notably the Dingo Fence region) and remote islands. Domestic cattle have been selectively bred into hundreds of **breeds**, each developed for specific purposes. Dairy breeds like the **Holstein-Friesian** are prized for high milk production, with distinctive black-and-white markings. Beef breeds such as the **Angus**, **Hereford**, and **Charolais** are raised for meat quality and efficiency. Dual-purpose breeds like the **Shorthorn** serve both roles. *Bos indicus* (Zebu) cattle, recognizable by their large hump, floppy ears, and heat tolerance, are common in tropical regions of Africa, India, and South America. Breeds like the **Highland cow**, with its long shaggy coat, are adapted to cold, rugged climates. This diversity reflects centuries of human selection for productivity, resilience, and adaptation to local environments.

Culturally, cattle hold deep significance across civilizations. In Hinduism, the cow is revered as a sacred symbol of non-violence, motherhood, and abundance, and harming cows is prohibited in many regions of India. In ancient Egypt, cattle were associated with fertility and deities like Hathor. In East African pastoralist societies such as the Maasai, cattle represent wealth, social status, and spiritual connection, often central to ceremonies and rites of passage. Cattle have also shaped economies worldwide, providing milk, meat, leather, and labor for plowing and transport. Oxen—castrated male cattle trained for work—have been essential in agriculture for millennia. Ecologically, cattle play a complex role. Managed well, they can support sustainable grazing systems, fertilize soil with manure, and maintain grassland ecosystems. However, overgrazing, methane emissions, and deforestation for pasture contribute to environmental challenges like soil degradation and climate change. Despite these impacts, cattle remain one of humanity’s most important domestic animals—symbolizing sustenance, tradition, and the enduring bond between people and the land.

We keep adding images as will as print-on-demand products of cattle as time goes on. The easiest way to keep up-to-date is to subscribe to our newsletter.

If you would like them applied to a particular kind of clothing item which is missing, then please contact us!