Got sent an awesome paper about adaptable tool use in a pet cow from Austria:
https://www.cell.com/current-biology/fulltext/S0960-9822(25)01597-0
Her name's Veronika. She's 13.
G. Gibson
boosted
‘Veronika’ Is the First Cow Known to Use a Tool
This is the first recorded instance of a bovine using tools from her environment to relieve an itch—leaving scientists astonished.
‘Veronika’ Is the First Cow Known to Use a Tool
This is the first recorded instance of a bovine using tools from her environment to relieve an itch—leaving scientists astonished.
Witchzilla
boosted
Do Cows Use Tools? This One Does.
A pet cow named Veronika can scratch her own back with a broom — the first scientifically documented case of tool use in cows, researchers say.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/science/animals-cows-intelligence-tools.html?unlocked_article_code=1.F1A.Dti9.sE-lbir-N_l_&utm_source=globalmuseum #cows #animals #animalbehaviour #globalmuseum
Do Cows Use Tools? This One Does.
A pet cow named Veronika can scratch her own back with a broom — the first scientifically documented case of tool use in cows, researchers say.
https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/19/science/animals-cows-intelligence-tools.html?unlocked_article_code=1.F1A.Dti9.sE-lbir-N_l_&utm_source=globalmuseum #cows #animals #animalbehaviour #globalmuseum
atomkarinca
liked this activity
Brown Swiss (cow) in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/19/back-scratching-cow-veronika-bovine-intelligence
#Cows 🐄🐄🐄
Andrew (Television Executive)
boosted
It started with a goodbye joke from the nineties - If I don't see you in the future I'll see you in the pasture.
Then I got carried away.
Do you know any public domain cow movies?
Now I can't stop.
Thanks
@hairylarry I don't understand what's going on, but I won't argue with it.
It started with a goodbye joke from the nineties - If I don't see you in the future I'll see you in the pasture.
Then I got carried away.
Do you know any public domain cow movies?
Now I can't stop.
Thanks
your auntifa liza 🇵🇷 🦛 🦦
and 2 others
boosted
Amidst the onslaught of news, find time to watch this video of Veronika the cow, who developed the ability to use tools to scratch herself.
your auntifa liza 🇵🇷 🦛 🦦
boosted
Amidst the onslaught of news, find time to watch this video of Veronika the cow, who developed the ability to use tools to scratch herself.
RE: https://flipboard.social/@ScienceDesk/115923603355235745
Veronika the cow fans, here's the full text of Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró and Alice M.I. Auersperg article for Cell Biology entitled: "Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow."
"Her behavior was systematic: the broom end served for upper, thick-skinned areas and the stick end for softer ones, showing sensitivity to the mechanical affordances of each task," wrote the authors, who conclude: "She did not fashion tools like the cow in Gary Larson’s cartoon, but she selected, adjusted, and used one with notable dexterity and flexibility. Perhaps the real absurdity lies not in imagining a tool-using cow, but in assuming such a thing could never exist."
Amidst the onslaught of news, find time to watch this video of Veronika the cow, who developed the ability to use tools to scratch herself.
RE: https://flipboard.social/@ScienceDesk/115923603355235745
Veronika the cow fans, here's the full text of Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró and Alice M.I. Auersperg article for Cell Biology entitled: "Flexible use of a multi-purpose tool by a cow."
"Her behavior was systematic: the broom end served for upper, thick-skinned areas and the stick end for softer ones, showing sensitivity to the mechanical affordances of each task," wrote the authors, who conclude: "She did not fashion tools like the cow in Gary Larson’s cartoon, but she selected, adjusted, and used one with notable dexterity and flexibility. Perhaps the real absurdity lies not in imagining a tool-using cow, but in assuming such a thing could never exist."
Amidst the onslaught of news, find time to watch this video of Veronika the cow, who developed the ability to use tools to scratch herself.
Amber Or Bust
boosted
Brown Swiss (cow) in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/19/back-scratching-cow-veronika-bovine-intelligence
#Cows 🐄🐄🐄
Meet Veronika, the tool-using cow
Veronika uses sticks to scratch herself, suggesting scientists have underestimated cow cognition
https://arstechnica.com/science/2026/01/meet-veronika-the-tool-using-cow/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social
RE: https://mastodon.social/@arstechnica/115922605916049706
I'm just gonna note that scientists tend to underestimate everyone's cognition except their (our) own
Also, Veronika is a beautiful and delightful cow and I 💞 💞 her and wish I could 🤗 her
Brown Swiss (cow) in Austria has been discovered using tools in multiple ways – something only ever seen in humans and chimpanzees
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2026/jan/19/back-scratching-cow-veronika-bovine-intelligence
#Cows 🐄🐄🐄