28 Cow Photos That Are Too Adorable for Words

Though they may not immediately come to mind when you think of cute and cuddly creatures, cows are just as friendly and fun as any canine or feline. Not only that, but they are also extremely intelligent animals—so intelligent, in fact, that they can experience emotions ranging from love and affection to anger and aggression. Not convinced yet that you should join the cow fandom? Then let these 28 udderly adorable cow photos and fascinating cow facts do the talking. And for the most loyal animals in nature, check out 25 Adorable Animals That Mate for Life.

As it turns out, this adorable interaction isn't uncommon between cattle. According to Judith Madey of The Nature Institute, older cows actually communicate by licking each other. How cute!

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Cows are not afraid to get all up in your personal space, as evidenced by this farm friend, who was ready for her closeup.

Cow tongues aren't just cute, they're actually also very useful! Per the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), it's what cows use to grab leaves for sustenance.

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This friendly face chilling in the grass is doing just what a cow loves to do most: resting! According to the Farm Animal Welfare Education Centre, a dairy cow's main priority is lying down—so much so that they spend as much as half the day doing so.

Pay close attention to this cow's floppy ears. Not only are they extremely adorable, but, per a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, you can actually tell what a cow is feeling by the positioning of their ears. When calm and relaxed, cows' ears tend to be in a backward and/or hanging position, as opposed to in an upright position.

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Cows love a bit of human affection. However, if you're not willing to give it, these beasts won't soon forget. As one study published in the Animal Behavior and Cognition journal notes, "calves as well as adult cows show learned fear responses to humans who have previously handled them in a rough manner."

All those hours spent on the pasture can get a little lonely—even for a cow. That's why this cow is on the hunt for pets. Who could ignore this face?

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This cow cutie is showing us just how mighty (and big!) a cow's tongue can be. But why are their tongues so long? Well, since cows have fewer teeth than other animals plus no upper teeth, their tongues need to be long enough to grasp the grass they eat and pull it out of the ground.

Cow cuddling looks to be the next big trend—but unless you own a farm, you might have to pay a pretty penny just to get your hands on one of these benign beasts. In upstate New York, for instance, visitors are shelling out as much as $75 for an hour-long cow cuddling session, during which they can cuddle, brush, and play with cows.

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This cow friend sure looks peaceful receiving not one, but two friendly head rubs. In a study published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, Austrian researchers found that gentle interactions like this one can greatly improve the relationship between humans and cows.

Calves receive most of their nutrition from milk for the first two weeks of their lives. During this time they are typically fed twice daily either by a nipple bottle or via open bucket. The bottle works best, however, because it closely resembles a mother's udder.

According to a University of Northampton study, cows actually do have best friends! What's more, when cows are surrounded by their best friends, their heart rates slow down significantly, and they experience less stress than when paired with a stranger.

The friendships cows form extend to other animals, too. Take Moonpie the minicow, for example. She's currently living at Rocky Ridge Refuge in northern Arkansas with her best friends who just so happen to be two dozen rescue dogs!

There's no bond stronger than the one between a mother and her child—and that goes for cows as well as humans. Per one study in the Applied Animal Behaviour Science journal, calves reared alongside their mothers tend to be more sociable and socially competent in later years, as well as less susceptible to stress.ae0fcc31ae342fd3a1346ebb1f342fcb

Cows and pigs often share pastures, giving them the perfect opportunity to form friendships. However, some creatures will even go great lengths just to see their BFFs. At one farm in England, for instance, a miniature pig named Mr. Sparkles even sneaks over to hang out with his cow pal, Dainty. There's no beef between these farm friends!

Don't think you can hide from a cow if you're looking to capture a sneaky shot. According to NC State College of Veterinary Medicine, cows have almost 360-degree vision, so they can see practically everything.

This cow probably loves being in a field of flowers even more than its human friend does. Why? According to the book Cow Talk, cows have an incredible sense of smell—so good, in fact, that they can detect smells from kilometers away. Yes, cows definitely know how to stop and smell the roses.

This buddy's bangs are quite long—and they serve a specific purpose! Highland cows from Scotland have wooly and wavy coats that grow extremely long in order give the cows the ability to combat the cold, wet climate where they live.

Dogs and pigs and goats, oh my! Cows are open to forming relationships with all sorts of other farm animals, and goats are no exception. One orphaned cow in Little Rock, California, for example, was given a goat companion by the Hooves and Paws Animal Rescue, and the duo is now inseparable.

This baby calf and its mother may look pet-able, but it's best to admire pairs like this from afar. Cow mothers are extremely protective of their young, which is one of the reasons why the animals get such a bad rap for being aggressive.

These cows are showing love by booping snoots! Did you know that you can measure a cow's emotional state through the temperature of its nose? A study published in the Physiology & Behavior journal revealed that a drop in nasal temperature for cows was associated with a more positive emotional state of being.

This calf doesn't wear its heart on its sleeve, but rather on its head! And, according to the American Dairy Association, no two Holstein cows have the same spots, so this heart-shaped beauty is one of a kind.

These cow companions are showing the utmost love to their bulldog buddy! A cow's lick is a sign of affection, and it's clear this dog is getting lots of slobbery kisses.

This affectionate sweetheart is showing some love to one of its human friends. This is obviously a person she trusts.

Cows have rich social lives and value their friendships. According to Pet MD, "If cows are moved from one barn to another frequently, this social stress can start to affect their well-being." Think about a child trying to fit in at a new school!

This calf may seem a little unsteady, but most newborn cows learn to stand within half an hour of being born.

You think you get snack-y? Cows will eat up to 24 pounds of hay per day, or about two percent of their body weight.

A cow may not be able to fully return your hug, but they'll certainly appreciate it. And so will you!