MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why are cows spotted?

Holstein cow, five years old, standing in front of white background.

MUNDANE MYSTERIES: Why are cows spotted?

There are a lot of different theories on this but one study suggest that the dark and light spots on a cow’s coat of hair is actually to confuse the vision of horseflies.

The spots somehow change how the polarized light is reflected and stops the flies from landing on the cow. What a cool defense mechanism. Nature FTW!

 

Photo credit: Getty Images