Instead, the leader at any particular time can be any one of a pool of animals. Cows have a nine-month pregnancy. A cow will separate herself from the herd shortly before her baby is born. After birth, she begins licking the newborn. They are caring mothers and will bravely protect their young.
Dairy cows form strong bonds, especially among mothers and young and among peers.
If they are allowed to stay together, the bond between a cow and her calf remains even after weaning. As calves grow up together and, as young cows, give birth, their calves may also associate with each other. By nature, calves spend a great deal of time interacting and playing-leaping, running, frolicking, and butting heads. Their mothers are frequently the object of much of this play behavior. Cows can perceive higher and fainter noises than can humans and can detect odors from more than six miles' distance.