A cow is a generic term for domesticated bovines, often raised for meat, milk, leather products, and draft work. There are an estimated 1.3 billion cows in the world, most raised for agricultural purposes. Despite being relatively placid creatures, cows are controversial animals, as raising them levies heavy costs in terms of pollution and environmental damage.

Properly, the word cow refers to female adult bovines, but the word has been adopted for general usage. In correct terminology, an un-castrated adult male bovine is a bull, a castrated male is a steer, and a juvenile of either sex is a calf. Prior to birthing their first calf, females are also referred to as heifers.

Although there are several subspecies of cow, they share important anatomical characteristics. Cows are ruminants, meaning that they can regurgitate and re-consume indigestible foods, breaking down the food further in one of their four stomachs. They are natural vegetarians, and feed on grasses and grains. Experiments with feeding cattle meat products have lead to outbreaks of disease, including the devastating Mad Cow disease or bovine spongiform encephalopathy.

Cows are considered some of the earliest known domesticated animals. Evidence suggests that humans have been keeping cows as livestock since the Neolithic period, around 10,000 BCE. Some cultures developed highly elaborate customs regarding cattle and their agricultural uses. In Hinduism, cows are not slaughtered for meat, as they are considered sacred providers for their milk. Strict observers of Hindu customs will not eat beef or beef products.

Symbolically, cows are typically images of strength and resolve. In Greek astrology, the cow represents the zodiac sign and constellation Taurus, symbolic of stubborn behavior and power. The ox also appears in the Chinese zodiac, and an ox personality is said to be patient, calm and determined.

Cattle are often raised in enormous herds, as they make up a huge portion of the world’s agricultural industry. Unfortunately, this can cause a severely negative impact on the local environment, which quickly becomes overstressed by too many grazing animals. Stream and river pollution around cattle ranches is often severe, and many studies show that local ecosystems can be devastated by a large cattle operation. In a time when awareness of environmental impact has become popular, many experts suggest that the single best thing you can do for the environment is to give up all cattle products.

With the vastness of the meat, dairy and leather industries, the humane treatment of cattle has also become a controversial issue. Videos and stories of severe physical abuse toward cows are prevalent among animal rights groups, and often with much evidence to back it up. Cows have been important to the survival of humans for thousands of years; our dependence on the domestic creatures is practically instinctual. Many environmental and animal experts believe that inhumane treatment of these important animals is both unwarranted and uncivilized. The cow provides billions of people with food and clothing; it seems the least we can do is provide it with a safe and healthy environment.