NewsThe most common image we have of a cow is one that is grazing in a pasture and moving slowly. Cows, on the other hand, can move swiftly if necessary. Trying to outrun a cow might not be the best idea if you’re being chased by one.
What is the maximum speed at which cows can run? Cows can run 17 miles per hour on average, although some have been seen going as fast as 25 miles per hour.
Can a Cow Run Faster Than a Human?
Cows have the ability to run at speeds of up to 25 miles per hour. Humans may run at a variety of speeds, but the typical human can run at between 6.2 and 8.7 miles per hour. Age, gender, physical size, and fitness all influence the speed.
Usain Bolt set the world record for human speed in 2009. He set the world record for the fastest man in the 100-meter sprint at a pace of 27.8 miles per hour. Florence Griffith Joyner set a world record for a woman in the 100-meter dash in 1988, with a speed of over 24 miles per hour.
A cow cannot be outrun by a human. Even professional athletes would have a hard time outrunning a cow. A spooked cow may accelerate quickly, and its cloven feet have better traction on soft or damp terrain than a horse’s or a person’s.
How to React to a Charging Cow
Although cows are placid, they are responsible for approximately 22 human deaths each year. A person will be charged by an angry, defensive, or threatened cow, especially if they are in a group. Trying to outrun the cow will very certainly result in injury or death.
Humans, on the other hand, have an advantage in terms of agility. In comparison to humans, cows have four legs and weak coordination. They can’t turn on a dime or make large movements when running.
Nonetheless, the greatest strategy to avoid an attack is to avoid provoking one in the first place. Cows get aggressive when confronted with calves or in the presence of dogs. As much as possible, avoid bringing dogs near cows or entering a cow pasture.
If an attack is unavoidable, there are a few things you can do to prevent getting hurt:
- Make no attempt to outrun the cow.
- Maintain your composure. Stay still or quickly and discreetly go away.
- Don’t turn away from the cow.
- Avoid making direct eye contact with the cow.
- If a cow charges you, whack its nose with a walking stick or another object as a means of self-defense. However, avoid flailing the weapon around because this can upset the cow even more.
- If the cow is a long way away, run until you reach a barrier or a safe place to hide. This is only a good idea if you have lots of time to prepare.
- Let go of the leash if you have a dog. Your dog can run away, and you won’t get hurt if you get between the dog and the cow.
- If there are more than one cow in the herd, flee to the nearest barrier or cover and try to put some distance between you and the herd.
- To obtain an edge when running, make zig-zag patterns and shift directions.
Conclusion
Cows don’t run very often, but when they do, they run really quickly. Furthermore, they have superior traction on slick surfaces compared to horses, providing them an advantage on grass or sand. You won’t be able to outrun a charging cow, but you can utilize your agility to get a head start and seek refuge or a barrier if it charges.
- How Many People Are Killed by Cows Every Year? Related article: How Many People Are Killed by Cows Every Year?
Nicole Cosgrove is a model and actress.
Chief Pet-ditor and Lead Pet Expert
Nicole is the delighted mother of a Burmese cat named Baby and a New Zealand Huntaway named Rosa. Nicole, a Canadian expat, now lives in New Zealand with her Kiwi husband on a lovely forest property. She has a great passion for all animals of all shapes and sizes (and especially enjoys a good interspecies friendship), and she wants to share her animal expertise as well as that of other specialists with pet owners all over the world.
