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Cow tipping is a pastime allegedly common in rural areas, in which participants sneak up on an upright sleeping cow and then push it over for amusement. There are factors which make the possibility unlikely at most; one such factor being that cows (as with most herd-prey animals) only take irregular naps throughout the day, often surrounded by awake members of the herd, making them almost impossible to sneak up on. Cows also are known to have superior fields of vision to humans, making them potentially very wary of intruders.
One factor towards the likelihood of cow tipping being in existence is the fact that Florida considered placing a ban on the pastime, indicating that there is at least enough evidence in favour of cow tipping's existence to present legislation.
Some variants of this urban legend state that the cow is then unable to get up.
Physical possibility
Basing on the cow's weight and body structure, calculations of the necessary force show that the tipping by pushing physically impossible for a single person. Studies have shown that it would require four or five people, and it is unlikely that one could sneak up on a sleeping cow. The amount of force and feasibility of tipping would also be highly dependent upon the stance of cow at the moment. Adding to this problem is the fact that cattle, unlike horses, do not sleep while standing.
References
- UNL College of Engineering and Mechanics. "The Statics of Cow Tipping". University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- Malvern, Jack. "Cow-tipping myth hasn't got a leg to stand on". Times Online. Retrieved 2006-10-28.
- "The Mechanics of Cow Tipping" (PDF). University of British Columbia. 2003-04-09. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2005-03-20.
See also
- Steer wrestling in which a running steer is "tipped".
- Geier Hitch, whereby a running bull is "steered"
- Toilet tipping
External links
- The Most Urban of All Urban Legends
- Adventures in cow tipping - Fiction!
- The Times article on Cow Tipping by Jack Malvern
- Cow Tipping: An Urban Legend - a satirical look at both sides of the argument.
- About.com: Florida to consider ban on cow tipping.
- The Register article debunking the myth of cow tipping while drunk by Lester Haines
- Straight Dope article - Discusses whether it is possible.