Examples of animals that eat cows include alligators, anacondas, tigers, bears, and cougars.
Cows are not only a popular food source for humans, but for many animals as well. While most people think of cows as big, docile creatures, they are actually prey for many predators.
In this article, we will explore some of the animals that eat cows and discuss why they consider them a part of their diet. However, in some areas of the world, such as Africa, cows are still a major food source for many species.
Let’s take a look at some of the animals that eat cows: lions, tigers, wolves, and hyenas. Each one of these predators has their own reasons for targeting cows as part of their food source.
Examples of Animals that Eat Cows
1. American Alligators
| Scientific Name | Alligator mississippiensis |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | the coastal wetlands of the U.S. Southeast, as far north as North Carolina and as far west as eastern Texas |
Alligators are large reptiles that live in fresh water environments. These predators are known to eat a wide variety of prey, including cows. Alligators will often times lurk near the water’s edge and wait for an unsuspecting cow to come close before attacking. Once an alligator has a hold of a cow, it will drag the animal into the water and drown it.
2. Anaconda
| Scientific Name | Eunectes murinus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | South America |
The anaconda is a large snake that can be found in South America. These snakes are known to eat a wide variety of animals, including cows. Anacondas typically hunt at night and will ambush their prey. Once the anaconda has coil around the cow, it will constrict its body and suffocate the animal. The anaconda will then swallow the cow whole, head first.
3. Bengal Tigers
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris tigris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, and Nepal |
One of the animals that eat cows is the Bengal Tiger. These tigers are found in India and Bangladesh. They are the largest of the tiger species and can weigh up to 400 pounds. They are also very powerful predators and can kill a cow with ease. They typically hunt at night, stalking their prey until they are close enough to attack. They then use their powerful jaws and sharp claws to kill the cow.
Related Article: Do Bengal Tigers Climb Trees?
4. Black Bears
| Scientific Name | Ursus americanus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | United states, Alaska, and Mexico |
While black bears will eat just about anything, they have been known to target cows specifically. Black bears are found in North America and they typically hunt at night. When they come across a cow, they will kill it by biting its neck. They will then drag the carcass into the woods to eat it.
5. Bobcats
| Scientific Name | Lynx rufus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada, down through the USA to northern Mexico |
Bobcats are a common predator of cows. They are very agile animals and can move quickly through the forest in search of their prey. Bobcats will typically stalk their prey before attacking, and they have been known to take down cows that are much larger than themselves.
6. Cougars
| Scientific Name | Puma concolor |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Canada south to Patagonia |
The cougar is a large cat that is found in North and South America. While the cougar will eat other animals, it certainly has a taste for cow flesh. In fact, the cougar is one of the top predators of cows in North America. The cougar will typically stalk its prey before moving in for the kill. Once the cougar has its prey in sight, it will often use stealth to get close before pouncing on the cow.
Related Article: Does Cougars Have Claws?
7. Coyotes
| Scientific Name | Canis latrans |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska southward into Central America, but especially on the Great Plains |
Coyotes are a common predator of cows. They live in North and Central America and are known for their cunning hunting abilities. Coyotes will often target calves or sick cows, as they are the easiest to take down. To kill a cow, a coyote will bite the neck or throat to suffocate it. Then, it will feast on the cow’s flesh.
8. Dogs
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus familiaris |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
Dogs are one of the most common animals that eat cows. This is because dogs are omnivores, meaning that they require meat in their diet in order to survive. Dogs will typically hunt cows by chasing them down and then biting into their flesh. Once a dog has caught a cow, it will usually kill it by strangulation or by breaking its neck.
9. Grey Wolves
| Scientific Name | Canis lupus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska |
One of the most common predators of cows is the grey wolf. These animals typically live in packs and they work together to hunt their prey. When a pack of wolves is hunting, they will carefully stalk their prey before attacking. Once they have isolated a cow, they will surround it and then one of the wolves will go in for the kill.
10. Grizzly Bears
| Scientific Name | Ursus arctos horribilis |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska to Mexico |
Grizzly bears are one of the most well-known predators that hunt cows. They are large animals that can weigh up to 1,000 pounds. Grizzly bears have sharp claws and teeth that they use to kill their prey. They will typically stalk their prey before attacking it. Once they have killed a cow, they will eat the meaty parts of the animal first.
11. Humans
| Scientific Name | Homo sapiens |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Worldwide |
The biggest preditor of cows and that eat them is humans. Humans have been eating beef for centuries and it is a major part of many people’s diets. In fact, beef is one of the most popular meats in the world. There are a number of reasons why people eat beef, including taste, nutrition, and tradition.
12. Hyenas
| Scientific Name | Hyaenidae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | north and northeast Africa |
Hyenas are one of the animals that eat cows. They are scavengers, which means they eat the leftovers from other animals. This includes meat, bones, and organs. Hyenas are not very picky when it comes to their food and will eat just about anything they can find. Cows are a good source of food for hyenas because they are relatively easy to catch. Hyenas will often hunt in packs, which makes it easier to take down a cow.
13. Leopards
| Scientific Name | Panthera pardus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Africa, parts of the Middle East, and Asia, including China, India, and eastern Russia |
Leopards are a type of big cat that is found in Africa and Asia. They are one of the smaller big cats, but they are still quite large, weighing in at around 60-120 pounds. Leopards are predators and their diet consists mainly of meat. They will prey on a variety of animals, including deer, antelope, pigs, and cows. Leopards are very good hunters and they are able to take down prey that is much larger than themselves. They do this by using their powerful jaws and sharp claws to kill their prey.
14. Lynx
| Scientific Name | Lynx |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Alaska and Canada |
The lynx is a medium-sized cat that is found in North America, Europe, and Asia. It is a very proficient hunter and its diet consists mainly of small animals, such as rabbits and deer. However, the lynx will also prey on larger animals, such as cows. They do this by stalking their prey until they are within range and then pouncing on them, killing them with a single bite to the neck.
15. Malayan Tigers
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris jacksoni |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Malay Peninsula and in the southern tip of Thailand |
The Malayan Tiger is a large predator that feeds mainly on ungulates such as cows. They are the second largest tiger species in the world and can weigh up to 500 pounds. These tigers are found in Southeast Asia and prefer to live in dense rainforests. They use their excellent sense of smell to track down prey, which often includes cows. When they are ready to attack, they will use their powerful jaws and claws to kill their prey.
16. Nile Crocodiles
| Scientific Name | Crocodylus niloticus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers |
Nile crocodiles are large reptiles that can grow up to 20 feet in length. They live in Africa and are one of the most dangerous predators on the continent. Nile crocodiles typically hunt at night and they will often target cows that are grazing near the water’s edge. When they attack, they will grab the cow with their powerful jaws and drag it into the water where they will drown it. Once the cow is dead, the crocodile will then feast on its flesh.
17. Piranha
| Scientific Name | Pygocentrus nattereri |
| Type of Animal | Fish |
| Range | South America |
Piranhas are a type of fish that can be found in South America. They are known for their sharp teeth and aggressive behavior. Piranhas primarily eat meat, and they will often prey on smaller fish, amphibians, and even birds. Cows are an easy target for piranhas since they are slow-moving and provide a lot of meat. Piranhas usually hunt in packs, and they will swarm their prey until it is incapacitated. They will then take turns biting the victim until it dies.
18. Saltwater Crocodiles
| Scientific Name | Crocodylus porosus |
| Type of Animal | Reptile |
| Range | eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia |
Saltwater crocodiles are some of the largest predators in the world. They can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh more than 2,000 pounds. These animals are ambush predators and they rely on their size and strength to take down their prey. Saltwater crocodiles hunt primarily at night and they will often wait for cows to come to a watering hole or river to drink. Once the crocodile is close enough, it will launch a quick attack and take the cow down.
19. Siberian Tigers
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris altaica |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Russia |
The Siberian tiger is the largest of all the tigers and is found in Russia and parts of Asia. These tigers primarily eat deer, but they will also prey on cows if they are available. They typically stalk their prey before attacking, and can kill a cow with a single bite.
20. Vampire Bats
| Scientific Name | Desmodontinae |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | Central America and much of South America |
Vampire bats are one of the few animals that will specifically target cows to drink their blood. These bats live in Central and South America and they feed on the blood of cows, horses, and other mammals. Vampire bats have sharp teeth that they use to puncture the skin of their prey. They then lap up the blood that flows from the wound. Vampire bats are able to drink up to half their body weight in blood each night, and they can go without food for several days.
21. Vultures
| Scientific Name | Cathartes |
| Type of Animal | Bird |
| Range | Asia, Africa, and Europe |
One of the animals that eat cows is the vulture. Vultures are scavengers and they feed on the remains of dead animals. This includes carcasses of cows that have been killed by predators. Vultures typically won’t attack a live cow, but they will scavenge on a dead cow. They are able to do this because they are able to fly high in the sky and spot carcasses from a distance. They also have a strong sense of smell which allows them to find food even when it is hidden.
22. Wild Dogs
| Scientific Name | Lycaon pictus |
| Type of Animal | Mammal |
| Range | southern Africa and the southern part of East Africa |
The most common type of animal that eats cows is the wild dog. These animals are all members of the Canidae family and they share many similarities in their appearance and behavior. Wild dogs typically live in packs and they use their numbers to their advantage when hunting. When a pack of wild dogs is hunting cows, they will spread out and surround the cows before attacking. This ensures that the cows cannot escape and that the dogs will be able to take them down.
Related Article: Why Do We Eat Cows?
Conclusion
There are many animals that eat cows and their meat. These animals come from all over the world, including North America, Africa, Asia, and Europe. Some of these animals include alligators, tigers, bears, wolves, and cougars. While some people may find it strange or disturbing to think about these animals eating cows, it is a natural process that occurs in the wild.
Hi, I’m Garreth. Living in South Africa I’ve had the pleasure of seeing most of these animals up close and personal. When I was younger I always wanted to be a game ranger but unfortunately, life happens and now at least I get to write about them and tell you my experiences.