When livestock in a herd is attacked, why don't the others help?

Livestock are common domestic animals that have played a significant role in human history, especially during the agricultural period, where they were essential.

In fact, livestock species like buffalo and cattle exhibit clear herd behavior; however, sometimes when one cow is attacked by a predator, the other cows nearby do not come to assist but instead show indifference or gather together with the rest of the herd.

With the advancement of science and a continuous understanding of nature, more animal species in the wild are being discovered. In the 3rd century BC, Aristotle described 450 animal species; in the first half of the 18th century, Linnaeus described about 4,000 species; by the late 19th century, humanity had identified over 500,000 species.

Behavioral Characteristics of Livestock

Domestic buffalo and cattle are herd animals; however, like horses, they do not have a true alpha leader, and all members act according to their own will. Typically, there is a dominant male in the herd, which has certain privileges such as access to food and mating, and this male is often the strongest and most experienced in the group.

Additionally, livestock exhibit other behavioral traits. For example, cows are animals that enjoy licking each other, which helps them stay clean, reduce stress, and allows their companions to remove parasites, making them feel comfortable.

Today, we are aware of over 1,000,000 animal species that exist on Earth, and according to taxonomists, this number is still increasing, as many species in the wild remain undiscovered.

Reasons Why Livestock Do Not Assist Their Herd Members When Attacked

Although livestock are generally social animals, when one is attacked by a predator, the others do not come to help. Why is this the case?

Fear and Stress

In reality, livestock species are relatively timid animals; they often feel frightened and anxious in the face of threats. When one cow is attacked by a predator, the other cows nearby feel panic and worry, and this stress and fear can cause them to flee or remain frozen in place, watching.

Humans prefer animals with strong herd behavior. Some animals raised from a young age, when they grow up with humans, may regard humans as family members or alpha figures. Therefore, domestication or training them becomes easier. Notable examples include dogs and horses.

Survival Instinct

In both the wild and when domesticated by humans, livestock such as buffalo and cattle often have to work hard to survive. Therefore, when one cow is attacked by a predator, the other cows typically choose not to help but instead opt to flee or step aside to protect their own lives.

Moreover, if other livestock come to assist, it could lead to disputes and more severe damage to the herd. Livestock often prioritize their survival in nature.

In summary, livestock do not come to help due to limited mobility, a focus on survival, and other reasons.

Although livestock do not assist their peers, they still choose to live in herds. Herd living is crucial for the survival and reproduction of livestock. Herds provide individuals with the different resources they need to breed and exist. Solidarity and cooperation among livestock are key factors for survival in nature.

For humans, we can gain insights from the behavioral traits of livestock and the reasons why they do not come to assist. For example, we should pay attention to the needs of others and the spirit of teamwork, which are vital for the development of human society.

Animals chosen for domestication often must be omnivorous, meaning their food sources should be easily found in their surroundings, and they can eat various things, especially those that humans cannot consume, including waste and leftovers.

Herbivorous animals like buffalo, cattle, horses, and sheep meet this standard because they can graze on grass and surplus grains. This is why carnivorous animals are somewhat harder to domesticate than herbivores, as they require humans to provide food from other animal species.

Herbivores like cows, horses, goats, and sheep can seek food from pastures or from human surplus grains. Carnivorous animals like dogs and cats can utilize food sources that humans discard or even insects.

This allows them to find enough food within and around human habitats to sustain themselves. Carnivores like dogs and cats also meet this condition as they readily consume waste, discarded items, and bothersome insects. Ancient humans chose certain herbivorous animals or non-fussy omnivores for domestication.