Mar 19, 2018 by Ashley Martin
Have you ever wondered why cows have spots? Well, genetics obviously – just like some of us have darker or lighter skin or hair. But it turns out there MIGHT just be another good reason why cows tend to be speckled – fly repellant!
We already know that cows like to use their long tails to swat away flies, but Zen Faulkes, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, says that cow spots may also help keep the bugs at bay, horseflies in particular.
It’s just one study, but according to Faulkes, the dark and light spots on a cow’s coat confuse horseflies’ vision, which is tuned to see polarized light. The spots somehow change how that light is reflected, and deter the flies from landing on the cow. The more spots a cow has, the less likely it is to be targeted by flies!
Pretty cool theory – buuuuuut, based on our experience in the barn yard, pretty much all of the cows (speckled or not) are busy swatting flies all day.
So I guess we’ll never know for sure. Couldn’t hurt to try some polka dot clothing for the Spring, though!
Leave a Reply
Greetings, enthusiasts of the natural world! I am deeply immersed in the realm of evolutionary biology, and my passion for understanding the intricacies of life has led me to explore the fascinating interplay between genetics and environmental adaptations. Today, I bring forth a captivating insight into the world of cows and their distinctive spots, drawing from my firsthand expertise and extensive knowledge in the field.
The article by Ashley Martin on March 19, 2018, delves into the intriguing question of why cows exhibit spots. While the obvious answer lies in genetics, I am thrilled to share an additional layer of insight that suggests a compelling reason behind this peculiar pattern—fly repellent.
Zen Faulkes, an esteemed evolutionary biologist at the University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, has contributed valuable research shedding light on this phenomenon. The article proposes that the spots on a cow's coat may serve as a natural defense mechanism against flies, particularly horseflies. As we already know, cows employ their long tails to swat away bothersome insects. However, Faulkes posits that the interplay of dark and light spots on a cow's coat could play a role in confusing horseflies' vision.
Horseflies are known to perceive polarized light, and according to Faulkes, the spots on a cow's coat somehow alter the reflection of this light, creating visual confusion for the horseflies. This, in turn, deters them from landing on the cow. It's a captivating theory that adds a new dimension to our understanding of the adaptive features in animals.
While the study stands as a singular exploration into this phenomenon, the idea that cow spots may serve as a natural fly repellant is undeniably intriguing. The article hints at the correlation between the number of spots and the likelihood of a cow being targeted by flies—the more spots, the less appealing the cow is to these pesky insects.
However, it's essential to acknowledge the practical observations from the barnyard, where the author notes that, despite their spots, many cows, speckled or not, engage in the constant act of swatting flies. This discrepancy adds a touch of skepticism, reminding us that the intricacies of nature are often more complex than a single theory might suggest.
In conclusion, while we may not definitively solve the mystery of cow spots and fly repellant through this study alone, the intersection of genetics, environmental adaptations, and behavioral observations paints a rich tapestry of nature's ingenuity. So, my fellow enthusiasts, as we ponder the wonders of the animal kingdom, let us remain open to the ever-evolving mysteries that nature unveils before us. Who knows, perhaps a splash of polka dot clothing in the spring might just be the next frontier in human-fly interaction!
