Bright Raven
Well-known member
This first calf heifer suffers from allergies. She frequently blows a discharge from her nostrils. She is much worse in late summer and improves in winter.
I have observed her pushing cutoff weed stems up into her nostrils. I have pulled weed stems out of her nostril.
Clearly, she is seeking relief. Yesterday, I finally got a picture. There is a metal electric fence post that was pushed into a waste pile of debris from my dozer work about 8 years ago. She was pushing the end of that metal post up into her nostril.
There is a level of intelligence involved when a bovine uses a "tool". Basically, a tool is any object used to accomplish a physical objective. Behavioral scientist have identified several species that use tools:
Otters
Birds
Primates including humans
Canines
Felines
Etc
This certainly qualifies:
I have observed her pushing cutoff weed stems up into her nostrils. I have pulled weed stems out of her nostril.
Clearly, she is seeking relief. Yesterday, I finally got a picture. There is a metal electric fence post that was pushed into a waste pile of debris from my dozer work about 8 years ago. She was pushing the end of that metal post up into her nostril.
There is a level of intelligence involved when a bovine uses a "tool". Basically, a tool is any object used to accomplish a physical objective. Behavioral scientist have identified several species that use tools:
Otters
Birds
Primates including humans
Canines
Felines
Etc
This certainly qualifies:
