Overview

Behaviors

Herding Behavior

Cows exhibit collective movement and decision-making as a herd.

Quorum-Based Movement:

• Movement typically initiated when threshold of herd joins
• Default quorum threshold: 0.3-0.7 (30-70% of herd)
• Democratic decision-making for direction

Selfish Herd Positioning:

• Weaker/younger animals seek center positions
• Peripheral positions have higher predation risk
• Dynamic repositioning based on threat detection

Configuration:

{
  "quorumThreshold": 0.5,
  "leadershipAgeBonus": 0.3,
  "separationDistance": 2.0,
  "cohesionDistance": 12.0
}

Grazing Patterns

Cows follow bimodal grazing patterns throughout the day.

Grazing Schedule:

• Morning grazing period
• Afternoon grazing period
• Resting periods between grazing

Grazing Behavior:

• Seek grass blocks within range
• Consume grass to restore hunger
• Move to new patches when current depleted

Vigilance Behavior

Cows take turns being alert while others feed.

Many-Eyes Effect:

• Larger groups detect predators earlier
• Shared vigilance reduces individual scanning time
• Edge individuals maintain higher vigilance

Maternal Behavior

Adult cows protect and care for calves.

Protection Behavior:

• Stay within range of calves
• Move between threat and calf
• Increase vigilance when calf present

Following Behavior:

• Calves follow mother closely
• Separation triggers distress
• Mother waits for separated calves

Hunger System

Social System

Configuration

Cow behaviors are configured via JSON files in:

data/better-ecology/mobs/passive/cow.json

Scientific Basis

Collective Decision-Making

Based on research showing neither age nor dominance consistently influence movement order in cattle, with democratic consensus observed in herds.

Grazing Patterns

Based on bimodal grazing research showing morning and afternoon activity peaks.

Vigilance

Based on research on shared vigilance and the many-eyes effect in ungulate herds.

See Also

• Herd Movement Research
• Foraging Research
• Parent-Offspring Research