Random q thread

[crazycanuck]

Since I'm asking questions in the random observation thread, i'll start asking them here.

Why was it that important for scientists to discover that cows face north-south? Perhaps I need a cow in my vehicle when I drive without a map..?

[teigyr]

I don't know why they studied it but it's interesting. I've learned I face the opposite direction of where I'm trying to go.

Do UK/Canadian versions of Scrabble have more of the letter "U"? (is one of my unanswered questioned that I'd like to ask a higher power, if I were to meet one)

[lph]

Well, I didn't know that anyone had studied which way cows face and what the result was, but the implications are pretty fascinating to me. Built-in compass, anyone? I'd love to have one.

[rij73]

Welllllll... (I'm getting on my vegan soapbox now. Pleeeeeeeease no one take it personally!)

I would love to think that discoveries of this type -- showing that animals have more capabilities than we know of -- would lead to better treatment of them. Like, maybe, not eating them?!?! If they sense the magnetic fields of the earth, don't you think that maybe they have the capacity to suffer pain and anguish too?

Unfortunately, now they will probably strap cows down and stick probes into their brains to figure out how they sense direction like that. You know, just to add insult to injury...

Poor cows.

[OakLeaf]

Way I read the stories, it was noticed accidentally by someone looking at Google Earth. Farmers have probably known this for millennia.

The difference between a cow and a Garmin is that the cow doesn't shut down at random intervals (see the other thread). But the Garmin fits better on your handlebars.

[Flur]

Well, now that this has been discovered, maybe the farmers and scientists will start breeding mini-cows and teacup cows. Then we can set up farmyard baskets on our handlebars for our teacup cow compasses...

[lph]

But the Garmin fits better on your handlebars.

Yeah, but nothing says "individualist!" like a large Hereford on your Deda.

[DebW]

What about the cows that have magnets in their stomaches? Does it mess up their sense of direction?

[snapdragen]

Or does the fact that cows have magnets in their stomachs explain why they face north-south? Hmmmm....

I can't wait for my teacup bovine.

[SadieKate]

*I know, I know. I've posted this picture a lot but I love it and I couldn't resist.

[Trekhawk]

*I know, I know. I've posted this picture a lot but I love it and I couldn't resist.

Love it!!

[Aggie_Ama]

Do cows only face north-south when standing? I see cows walking in semi-straight fashion, should they be my compass?

The other day commuting home all the cows were facing north- weird!!!

[colby]

What happens when the cows hit the end of the pasture? Do they walk backward?

[SadieKate]

Isn't that the reason for the bell? Back-up warning?

[TxDoc]

Why was it that important for scientists to discover that cows face north-south? Perhaps I need a cow in my vehicle when I drive without a map..?

[Pondering whether to pitch the navigation system and buy a cow instead...]