Cow Nursing Lambs
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Vintage photograph: property of Psyche Skinner
The Photograph
A picture probably dating from the 1930 showing a man in overalls, cow and three lambs.
Nursing Across Species
There have been many cases of animals nursing members of another species. In this case it seems that the three lambs were orphaned or the ewe could not provide milk for them. So they have been fostered onto a cow.
In this case I am not sure how willing the cow is, but she is putting up with the situation. I have not been able to find any other case of lambs being fostered onto a cow.
It seems that the mothering instinct in mammals is sometimes strong enough to encompass young that are not their own, or even of another species. Examples can even be found on ancient mosaics such as this one showing lion cubs nursing from a donkey.
Other Examples
- Dog and piglets (2008)
- Dog and red pandas (2009)
- Cat and puppies (2010)
Hollie Thomas Level 4 Commenter 5 months ago
These vintage photographs in your most recent hubs are really interesting. As you point out, it's not certain how the cow feels about her new role, she does look awfully thin though. Maybe her expression is one of wiriness than reluctance. It doesn't really surprise me that mammals would be willing to raise and feed a species other than their own. I have a cross border collie that has mothered, in no uncertain terms, a stray hamster I found in the snow last year. She obviously doesn't feed her, but she constantly grooms and protects her.