Is it true cows graze with their backs into the wind?

Question

I'm a helo pilot and land off-airport somewhat frequently. I thought if this were true it would help my situational awareness. Thanks in advance! :) BTW I live in the desert so cows are more prevalant than say a body of water :)

Answer 1

Yeah it's because they have huge sweaty butts and they let the wind blow on them to cool down XD

Answer 2

Personally I would not want my pilot landing the plane or helicopter based of the alignment of cattle in a field or anywhere else.

When standing a cows back faces up.

Cows in a desert? I would suggest that wind velocity might be the controlling factor.

Answer 3

Cows backs point up when they're grazing. If it's a light wind, they generally just graze whatever way they want. When the wind gets strong enough to be annoying most of them turn their heads away from it. I think if my pilot was depending on cows for wind direction I'd take the bus.

Answer 4

Cows graze facing into the wind so that the heads of grain come toward them. When resting they face away from the wind. Cows and horses have hair growing in opposite directions on their body, so in a cold wind they face different directions to keep warm.

Answer 5

Is it a natural way of sniffing the air and getting alerted for the smell of any predator up wind? But do cows really fight against any carnivore if it attacks them?

Answer 6

yes

Answer 7

Actually yes, as do most animals.
horses,cattle and sheep

Answer 8

yeb...they sure do !!...(Just so they can charge at me if I stand there looking at them eating for too long)...haha ((I dont mind tho, dont care much for looking at cow pads))!!

Answer 9

I dunno, but maybe yes.