October 23, 2019
Scientists in Japan have discovered that painting cows with
zebra-type stripes helps reduce attacks from biting flies. Sound crazy? Read
on.
Until I read the article, I had no idea that flies biting
cattle were so dangerous. But if cows bunch together for protection, they can
get heat stroke, or injuries from the head tossing and stamping they do to
repel the flies. Fly bites are estimated to cost the cattle industry billions
every year. Who knew?
When the cows are painted black and white, though, the flies
are less likely to land on them, due to the polarization of light. The painted
cattle were 50% less likely to get bitten.
It’s an eco-friendly alternative to using pesticides, which makes lots of people happy.
Now for the billion-dollar question: Who’s going to volunteer
to paint all those cows?
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