A remarkable cow named Veronika has made history as the first of her kind to be observed using tools—a brush or stick to give herself a good scratch!
This extraordinary Swiss Brown cow has captivated scientists in Austria with her unique broom, showcasing a skill that is strikingly rare in the animal kingdom. Prior to this, such tool-use had only been convincingly documented in chimpanzees, making Veronika’s abilities truly exceptional.
Unlike many cows raised for meat or milk, Veronika enjoys a special bond with organic farmer and baker Witgar Wiegele, who considers her a cherished member of his family. Over ten years ago, Witgar noticed that Veronika would occasionally pick up sticks to scratch her back, a behavior that piqued the interest of researchers.
Her tool-use behavior first gained scientific attention when it was captured on video and shared with cognitive biologist Professor Alice Auersperg. In a groundbreaking study published in the journal Current Biology, Dr. Auersperg details the fascinating phenomenon of tool-use in cows.
“These findings illuminate how our perceptions of livestock intelligence might stem from observational limitations rather than actual cognitive constraints,” she remarked.
Upon viewing the footage, Dr. Auersperg recognized that Veronika’s actions were intentional and meaningful, marking a significant example of tool use in a species often overlooked from a cognitive standpoint. Together with her colleague Dr. Antonio Osuna-Mascaró, they conducted a series of 70 systematic tests to further investigate Veronika’s skills.
During their controlled trials, they presented Veronika with a deck brush placed in various orientations. The researchers carefully documented which end she chose and the areas of her body she targeted. Remarkably, across multiple sessions, Veronika’s choices proved to be both consistent and functionally appropriate for the areas she aimed to scratch.
“Veronika employs each part of the broom differently,” noted Dr. Osuna-Mascaró. “She adapts her techniques based on the tool’s function and the specific body part she’s addressing.”
Typically, Veronika prefers the bristled end of the deck brush for scratching broader, firmer areas like her back. However, when it comes to softer and more sensitive parts of her lower body, she opts for the smooth stick end. Additionally, she modifies her handling of the tool, adjusting her scratching method according to her target. For upper-body scratching, her movements are wide and forceful, while lower-body scratching is more gentle, controlled, and precise, sometimes involving delicate taps.
Tool-use is characterized by the manipulation of an external object to achieve a specific goal through mechanical means. The Austrian research team concluded that Veronika’s actions not only meet this definition but also exemplify flexible, multi-purpose tool use, showcasing her ability to utilize different features of the same object for distinct outcomes.
“Since she uses the tool on her own body, this represents an egocentric form of tool use, which is generally perceived as less complex than using tools on external objects,” explained Dr. Osuna-Mascaró.
Veronika’s incredible ability to use tools has opened up new avenues for understanding the cognitive capabilities of livestock, reminding us that intelligence can manifest in the most unexpected ways!
