Bulls

 

Ok last week I wrote about cows, so this week I will write about bulls.

Bulls are powerful, muscular, and often larger than cows, with thicker bones, larger feet, and a muscular neck, which they use to fight for dominance within a herd. They have a "mane" of curlier, woolly hair on their neck and head, and a hump on their shoulders. 

They have large, bony heads with protective ridges over the eyes and the hair on their bodies is generally shorter.

They typically weigh significantly more than cows of the same breed. Their horns are thicker and shorter than those of cows in horned cattle. Some breeds have horns that curve outward from the centre in a flat arc, while others have horns that curve upwards in a lyre shape. The horns are unbranched and are not shed annually. 

They can be unpredictable and aggressive, which can pose a risk to those who work closely with them. They are intelligent and can learn quickly, and have long-term memory, and can tell people apart. 

They weigh up to 997 kilos or 2200 pounds, although there are some breeds, like the Chianina, can reach up to 1.8 meters (5 ft 11 in) at the shoulder and weigh up to 1,280 kg (2,820 lb). 

Like most mammals, bulls are red-green colour blind.

They become fertile around the age of seven months. 

The phrase "like a bull in a china shop" describes someone acting clumsily and causing damage, and while bulls can be unpredictable and strong, they don't inherently go "crazy" in shops; the phrase is a metaphor, not a literal description of bull behaviour.