Tool use in a pet cow suggests livestock may be smarter than believed.

A study published in Current Biology documents an Austrian pet cow, Veronika, using sticks and a deck brush to scratch different body areas; controlled trials showed she selected brush ends and adjusted her grip depending on the target area.

An Austrian pet cow named Veronika has been observed using sticks and a deck brush to reach and scratch parts of her body she cannot reach. Researchers at the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna reviewed video of the behaviour and published their findings in Current Biology. The team then ran controlled trials to test whether Veronika selected different ends of a brush for different body regions. The authors describe this as the first published account of tool use in a pet cow. What researchers observed: - Veronika, a Swiss Brown cow on a farm in Nötsch im Gailtal, was filmed picking up sticks and a deck brush with her tongue and mouth to scratch her back and other areas. - In controlled trials, she consistently used the bristled side for rubbing thicker-skinned upper areas and the blunt handle for more delicate lower areas such as the udder. - The cow adjusted her grip and movement depending on which part of her body she targeted, showing scrubbing motions for some areas and gentler pushes for others. - The study was led by Antonio J. Osuna-Mascaró of the University of Veterinary Medicine, Vienna and appeared in Current Biology. - Commentators noted the finding adds to known examples of tool use across species and that similar behaviours in farm animals may have been overlooked. Summary: The researchers report that Veronika used objects purposefully and showed consistent preferences that extended her reach and precision. The authors say they plan further study of Veronika’s behaviour and have reported they will seek other documented cases; wider implications remain undetermined at this time.