Ox vs Cow

A cow and an ox are members of the Bovinae subfamily. In terms of physiology, cows and oxen do not have significant differences. But humans differentiate cows and oxen according to their specific use in the farm. So here are some unique differences between a cow and an ox.

A cow is a female. To be called as such, it should be approximately 4 years old and has given birth to at least one calf. Its male counterpart is called a bull. An ox, on the other hand, is a castrated mature bull. So gender can be said as the primary difference between an ox and a cow.

A cow is raised as a livestock for its meat. It is also a dairy animal which is a source of milk and other dairy products like butter and cheese. Meanwhile, the ox is a draft animal. It is used to pull carts, plows, and sleds. It can also be used as a beast of burden for powering traditional agricultural machines like grain grinders or irrigation pumps.

Most often than not, an ox is more intelligent than a cow. That is because an ox is a trained animal. It has been trained to respond correctly to the commands of its handler. It can respond to sound commands or through rope or whip prodding.

Cows on the other hand are usually allowed to graze. Their owners never bother to train them. Commercial cows for large dairy factories are kept in a special corral. All they have to do is to eat and drink so they can produce plenty of milk.

In terms of built, an ox is more massive, muscular, and sturdy. In contrast, cows generally do not have stronger muscles like the oxen.

These are the distinguishing characteristics of an ox and a cow. So when you go to a farm, you will be able to identify which is the cow and which is the ox.