A love for adorable animals unites people all over the world. Cute cat videos and silly panda pictures offer moments of pure joy in between argumentative social media posts and concerning world news. And while this kind of content can be viewed as a distraction from more important topics, it also offers people a powerful way to connect with nature. Take, for example, the case of fluffy cows.
Fluffy cows, aka Highland cattle, are a Scottish breed of cow known for their wooly coats. Every so often, pictures of these animals and their calves (sometimes called mini highland cows) go viral on social media. For some, these posts are just cute pictures to scroll through after work. For others, these pictures spark a desire to learn more.
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Social media’s love for these fluffy cows has helped boost small farms and encouraged youth to pursue agriculture. In North Carolina, posts about these charming critters increased business for Happy Hens & Highlands Farm. Now, the farm offers tours that teach people of all ages more about nature and agriculture. Highland cows also inspired Penn State sophomore Reagan Carter to launch an agriculture experience venture at her family’s farm.
“I love getting to educate people about agriculture, and these cows are one way I have opened the door,” Carter told Lancaster Farming.
Want to learn more about these animals? Explore the gallery below to discover interesting facts about Highland cows. And check out other animal deep dives on Outdoors Wire, like this story about whale shark tours in La Paz, Mexico.