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This in turn creates a habitat for other creatures.

Highland cows also help the environment by grazing the ground and plucking at grass and plants with their tongues, instead of nibbling close to the ground.

Highland cows spend eight hours of their day grazing, and can therefore eat up to 70 kilograms of grass every day – that’s the equivalent of 700 muffins!.

Highland cows use their horns to forage and dig through snow in the winter time in search of food, adding to their hardy nature.

They have long, shaggy coats that most commonly light red, but many other solid colors are also seen, including black, brindle, cream, dun, red and white.

The extremely harsh conditions created a process of natural selection. Highlands are medium in size, with cows weighing 900 to 1,300 pounds and bulls 1,500 to 2,000 pounds. Whilst a typical group of cattle are referred to as a ‘herd’, a group of Highland cows is called a ‘fold’. The Highland breed has lived for centuries in the rugged remote Scottish Highlands.Calves are born with horn buds, which grow within the first few months of their life and take shape from around the time the animal turns three years old.In comparison to other breeds of cattle, Highland cows have a relatively sweet and quiet nature.To satisfy the Queen, this resulted in selective breeding of the red coloured cows.

250 breeds of cattle are recognized globally, with about 80 of the, easily available to farmers in the US. Apparently, this is credited to Queen Victoria, who is said to have preferred the red coloured cattle when on a trip to the Scottish Highlands. There are around 1.5 billion cattle according to population counts in 2020. The oldest Highland cows had black fur, but now they come in a variety of colours, most commonly a reddish-ginger colour.It helps to protect a cow’s eyes from typical Scottish wind and rain, as well as keep flies away. ‘Dossan’ is the correct name for the Highland cow’s fringe.The long, fluffy coat of a Highland cow isn’t just to add to their cuteness factor – it serves to protect them against harsh weather, acting as a natural insulator.Highland cows have a long history, they are the oldest registered breed of cattle and date back to the 6 th century.These iconic beasts have inspired a number of our sterling silver jewellery items, from earrings to necklaces, and charms too.īut how much do you really know about this majestic breed? Read on to learn about some interesting Highland cow facts. This helps to protect small wildlife and plants.Highland cows are the gentle giants of Scotland, typically recognised by long horns and long red, furry coats. Highland cows tread lightly on the ground than heavier, standard cows, so are more eco-friendly.Cattle consume as much as 70 kg (150 lbs.) of grass and graze about eight hours each day. They’re long, tough, fluffy hair helps to protect them during tough winter conditions, allowing any rain or snow to slide off. Scottish highland cattle are an ancient, Celtic breed of cattle.They originated in the Scottish Highlands, but can now be found in the USA, Europe, Canada and Australia.The highland cow is the oldest breed of cattle in the world, having been first mentioned in the 6th century.The Victorians prefered ginger cows, so they selectively bred them until they were lighter in colour. Highland cows were originally mostly black in colour.

We have taken a closer look into the life of the highland cow to offer some interesting facts that will make them even more loveable. The highland cow is known for being docile and quite easy to handle, an instantly recognisable animal that is fairly close to the nature of a domestic pet. This appearance lends itself to the work of many artists, with colours and textures that are a joy to look at. They have a very unique look that sets them apart from other species of cow, which can help them to survive in tough weather conditions. Highland cows are fascinating animals, with their calm, shaggy exterior endearing them to people around the world.