Chianina cattle facts

 
15 dummy chianina cattle facts

1) Chianina are the largest breed of cow in the world, and can weigh up to 2 tons! (2.5 for their smaller cousin the Alpaca). They have a long history on the continent of Africa, but were first domesticated by the ancient Egyptians. The cows are known as "The Great White Gods" because they produce milk that is so white it looks like snow. The milk is used to make some of the best cheese on earth.

2) There are many different types of chianina. Some are larger than others. The smallest are called chianina piccola, and can weigh as little as 100 pounds! The largest of the breed is called the chianina gigante, and can weigh up to 2.5 tons.

3) The chianina is so large because of it's large size in African folklore. In fact, the chianina is said to be the ancestor of most other breeds. A chianina's dark brown or black skin is more like tough elephant hide than cowhide. The breed has a single spiraling horn on it's forehead.

4) A chianina is usually calm and peaceful, but in grave danger when attacked. It has been know to charge it's attackers, knocking them off of cliffs and such. They are also very protective of their young, and will attack on sight.

5) Chianina make wonderful pack animals, as they tend to have minimal amount of body fat, making them lean but strong. Their short legs contribute to this, making them good for climbing mountains and up steep hills. They can also travel long distances at a fast pace, even over difficult terrain such as snow-covered mountains.

6) Chianina actually do have a natural state of sleep called the coma, which the breed takes about 20 minutes to reach after eating. The breed can go in this state for as long as 24 hours. This state of sleep also makes the cow very resistant to pain, cold, and fatigue. It is also when a chianina becomes most dangerous. If attacked while in this state, it can easily wake up and defend itself.

7) The chianina is a very friendly breed. They tend to be inquisitive and like to be around people, unless they are really frightened. In that case they prefer to flee rather than fight. They are also easily tamed, and make wonderful farm animals, as they have minimal fear and are easy to care for.

8) Despite being so large, the breed does not hold much combat power. They tend to be poor fighters, and considering their size they are even poorer guardians. For this reason chianina are usually partnered with more powerful breeds such as the bighorn, or even other types of giants.

9) Despite their size, and perhaps because of it, the breed has an incredible sense of smell. This is useful for tracking, and also for finding ripe fruits and such. They can also sense when people are feeling sick or in pain, so they are sometimes used as medical examiners.

10) Despite their size, chianina are incredibly fast for their size. They can easily outpace the average person, and can only be trained to run at human speeds.

11) Chianina are herbivorous, making their main food from grass and other plants. They are usually fairly calm and passive, but if frightened or cornered they can act aggressively.

12) The breed is fairly new to the continent, only coming over with the first settlers. They were often confused with the giant African tortoises, which led to many being killed or captured. It was only when the settlers saw them in action against the native American tribes did they realize their worth.

13) The chianina is thought to be the ancestor of all other breeds of giant cattle in the new world, as it is physically similar and they can interbreed. However, other breeds of cattle have been known to attack chianina on sight, and the two cannot be around each without attacking each other. They can however be used together, as one can distract the other's attackers while the other attempts to get free.

14) The chianina's name comes from the Aztec word "Ehlew" which means cow.

15) The cow is an invaluable work animal, and for this reason it has never been hunted nearly as much as other large animals. Also since the cow is so large, it can be used as a weapon if necessary. Many settlers still keep a few as guards, and there are many old legends of old fights that turned because of a cow bursting out of nowhere and goring a raider.

False Chianina cattle facts