Domestic cattle (Bos taurus) longevity, ageing, and life history

Classification (HAGRID: 01564)

Taxonomy: Kingdom: Animalia
    Phylum: Chordata
        Class: Mammalia (Taxon entry)
            Order: Artiodactyla
                Family: Bovidae
                    Genus: Bos
Species: Bos taurus
Common name: Domestic cattle
Synonyms: Bos indicus, Bos primigenius

Maximum longevity: 20 years (captivity)
Source: ref. 434
Sample size: Large
Data quality: Questionable
Observations: Estimating the maximum longevity of domestic cattle is troublesome since there are many conflicting reports. Females appear to remain fertile for about 12 years, and animals have been known to live over 20 years [0434]. Most likely, animals can live over 20 years and there are even anecdotal reports of a cow called "Big Bertha" that lived nearly 49 years. Lastly, there are unverified reports that miniature cattle live longer than normal animals.

: No information is available on life history. Please contact us if you wish to suggest or contribute data.

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[0436] Cutler (1979), Evolution of human longevity: a critical overview (PubMed)