Researchers in Botswana painted fake eyes on hundreds of cow’s butts. The goal: survival. Cattle in the region are preyed on by lions or hyenas or cheetahs. After these predators sneak up and attack, they are often killed by the cattle owners. Researchers wanted to find a non-lethal way to protect the livestock, so they naturally turned to painting eyes on the cattle’s rumps with acrylic paint and foam stencils. As the product of evolutionary adaptation, eye-spots are often seen on butterflies or birds to deceive predators and keep them away. The four-year study, as reported by the Miami Herald, found that no cow with eyes on their butts was preyed upon during the study. The researchers suggest eyes could be used to prevent human-wildlife attacks. Can they keep people six feet apart as well?
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