In a small village in southern Austria, a cow named Veronika has completely reshaped what scientists previously believed about farm animals. For years Veronika used sticks to scratch her back but a new study in Current Biology has officially labeled her the first documented tool user among cattle.
Veronika is a 13 year old cow owned by a local baker, Witgar Wiegele. Veronika uses her long tongue to grab different objects like brooms and rakes. She doesn’t just hold them but she can move them around to get the best scratch. Scientists watched her flip a deck brush to use the rough bristles on her back then turn it around to use the smooth handle on more sensitive areas.
“She knew exactly what she was doing” said researcher Antonio Osuna-Mascaro. This ability to use one tool for different jobs is incredibly rare. Aside from humans it has only been seen in chimpanzees.
To be considered a true “tool user” Veronika had to meet three requirements: The tool had to act as an extension of her body, help her do something difficult, and she had to be able to change its position. Veronika passed with flying colors, “I think this will make scientists pay a lot more attention to cows.” said expert Dorothy Fragaszy
A lot of people are wondering how Veronica learned how to do this. Some think its because she missed the feeling of being groomed by her mother but researcher Jan Langbein believes its because she was just given the chance. Most farm animals live in an environment with no objects to play with. “You can’t become a tool user if there are no tools available” Langbein said.
Langbein hopes this study leads to better lives for cattle, “These are clever and emotional animals. They deserve better than what we give them. “
