Dairy cows drink up to 35 gallons of water a day to produce as much as 14 gallons of milk per day. Each cow has a unique color pattern. Every cow's nose has a unique nose-print (just like human fingerprints). Cows have 4 toes on each foot but walk on only 2 toes.

Dairy cows are milked 2 to 3 times a day. The cows wait patiently in the holding area for their turn to be milked. The red band on the right rear leg of the cow indicates to the person milking that this cow has just calved (given birth). The first milk after calving is called colostrum. It is very high in protective antibodies and loaded with vital nutrition that the baby calf needs to maintain good health.

The building where the cows are milked is called a milking parlor. It takes 3 to 6 minutes for each cow to be milked. Dairy cows have 4 teats (goats have two). The milking process is a positive experience for the cow, otherwise she would not help to squeeze the milk out of her udder. The milking claw has 4 suction attachments. The milking machine simulates the natural action of a calf nursing.

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