In 1982, cartoonist Gary Larson introduced his famous work. far side A manga called cow tools. The illustration featured a cow standing proudly next to a strange collection of useless objects labeled as tools. This humor was based on the widely held idea that cows lacked the intelligence to make and use tools.
That assumption is challenged thanks to a real cow named Veronica. Research published in current biology report the first documented case of tool use in pet cows, suggesting that cows may have much greater cognitive abilities than previously thought.
“These findings highlight that assumptions about livestock intelligence may reflect observational gaps rather than true cognitive limitations,” said Alice Auersperg, a cognitive biologist at the Vienna University of Veterinary Medicine.
Meet Veronica, the tool cow
Veronica is a Swiss brown cow who lives as a pet rather than being bred for food production. She belongs to organic farmer and baker Witger Vigele, who considers her part of the family.
More than a decade ago, Wiegele noticed unusual behavior. Veronica often picked up a stick and used it to scratch herself. This behavior was captured on video and shared with researchers, ultimately attracting scientific attention.
“When we saw the video, we immediately knew this was no coincidence,” Auersperg said. “This was a meaningful example of tool use in a species that is rarely considered from a cognitive perspective.”
Use of test tools in controlled experiments
To better understand this behavior, researchers conducted a structured test with Veronica. They placed the deck brush in different positions on the ground and observed how she interacted with it.
Across multiple trials, Veronica consistently selected specific parts of the brush depending on where she wanted to scratch. Her choice was not random. Instead, they adapted to the needs of different areas of her body.
“We have shown that cows can engage in truly flexible tool use,” says Antonio Osuna Mascaro. “Veronica doesn’t just use objects to hurt herself; she uses different parts of the same tool for different purposes and applies different techniques depending on the tool’s function and body part.”
Use flexible and versatile tools
The researchers found a clear pattern in how Veronica uses her brush. For large, hard areas like the back, I preferred the bristly side. For more sensitive areas of the lower body, she switched to a smoother handle.
I also adjusted the movement. Her upper body scratching movements required broader and stronger movements, while movements targeting her lower body were slower and more precise.
Tool use is defined as the use of external objects to achieve a goal through physical interaction. Veronica’s actions meet and exceed this definition. Her behavior lends itself to the use of flexible and versatile tools. This means that you are using different features of the same object for different results.
This type of behavior is extremely rare, and the only non-human species to have been clearly documented to date is chimpanzees.
overcome physical limitations
Veronica’s tool use is directed toward her own body, which is known as egocentric tool use. Although this form is generally considered less complex than using tools with external objects, challenges still exist.
Cows don’t have hands, so Veronica has to use her mouth to manipulate tools. Despite this limitation, she shows careful control and seems to anticipate the consequences of her actions. She adjusts her grip and movements to achieve the desired result.
Why this behavior is rare
Researchers believe Veronica’s unique living environment may have influenced her behavior. Unlike most cows, she has lived a long life in a complex and stimulating environment. She interacts with humans every day and has access to a variety of objects that she can manipulate.
These factors likely created opportunities for exploration and innovation that are unusual for most cows.
“Although[Veronica]did not make tools like the cows in Gary Larson’s cartoons, she selected, adjusted, and used them with remarkable dexterity and flexibility,” the researchers wrote. “Perhaps the real absurdity lies not in imagining a cow using tools, but in supposing that such a thing cannot exist.”
Rethinking animal intelligence
This discovery is the first confirmed case of tool use in cattle and expands the range of species known to exhibit this ability. It is also possible that similar acts exist but are being overlooked.
The research team is currently investigating what environmental and social conditions enable the development of such behavior. We also encourage others to report similar observations.
“This is because we think this ability may be more widespread than currently recorded,” Osuna Mascaro said. “We encourage any readers who have observed cows or bulls performing deliberate actions with sticks or other hand-held objects to contact us.”
