Bulls are known for their aggressive and angry behavior. When people think of bulls, they often imagine the bull angrily charging at a matador in a bullfight or tossing cowboys off its back at a rodeo. But why exactly do bulls get so angry and aggressive? There are several key reasons that explain this common behavior in bulls.
Testosterone and Aggression
One of the main reasons bulls get angry and aggressive is due to their high levels of testosterone. Testosterone is a male sex hormone that is associated with aggression and competitiveness in many species, including bulls. Bulls have much higher levels of testosterone compared to cows. This natural difference in hormones contributes to bulls being bigger, more muscular, and more aggressive than cows.
Testosterone directly stimulates centers in the brain that trigger aggression and violent outbursts. The hormone fuels dominant and territorial behaviors in bulls. It makes them more likely to demonstrate aggressive posturing, headbutting, and charging to show dominance and claim territory. Even bulls who are normally docile or calm may suddenly turn aggressive when their testosterone levels spike.
Castrated bulls, known as steers, have significantly reduced testosterone levels compared to intact bulls. Steers tend to be much calmer and less aggressive due to their lack of testosterone. This contrast clearly demonstrates the link between testosterone and aggression in bulls.
Dominance Displays
Another reason bulls frequently get angry is to establish dominance and claim territory. In the wild, bulls live in small groups with a dominant alpha bull leader. The alpha bull claims breeding rights to cows and must protect his status from challengers. Bulls display aggression and anger to establish dominance and claim territory.
Bulls use aggressive behaviors like headbutting, horning, pushing, and charging at other bulls to determine the dominant alpha. Even when the hierarchy is established, the alpha must continue displays of aggression and anger to protect his status. Bulls also use these behaviors on human handlers to test dominance.
Aggression is also used to claim territory and resources like food and water. Bulls may turn angry and violent when defending their territory or competing for limited resources. Anger helps bulls warn away competitors and protect their resources.
| Behavior | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Headbutting | Displays dominance |
| Horning | Establishes rank |
| Pushing | Defends territory |
| Charging | Protects resources |
In summary, bulls get angry to display dominance, claim territory and rank, and protect resources – all keys to their survival and reproduction.
Breeding Instincts
Bulls also exhibit anger and aggression during the breeding season as they compete to mate with cows. Bulls are polygamous breeders, meaning they mate with multiple females in a season. The competition to mate triggers aggressive behaviors.
When cows are in heat, bulls become extremely excited and competitive. They use displays of dominance, anger, and aggression to ward off rival bulls. They may bellow, paw the ground, charge, and headbutt competitors. The most dominant, virile bulls get to mate while anger and aggression help ward off competitors.
Bulls also use aggression when herding and guarding cows they have mated with. Anger helps bulls chase away rival suitors and prevent other males from mating with their cows. This protective anger helps bulls ensure paternity of offspring.
Stress and Agitation
Stressful situations and agitation are other common triggers for anger and aggression in bulls. Bulls kept in confined spaces like small pens or crates with limited mobility often feel stressed and agitated. This stress builds up and is expressed through angry behavior like bellowing, headbutting pens, charging, and kicking.
Similarly, isolation from the herd can cause stress that leads to aggression. Bulls are herd animals and being separated from the group puts them on edge. Loud noises, unfamiliar environments, changes in routine, and handling by humans can also agitate bulls and spark aggressive outbursts.
Even bulls who normally have calm temperaments may lash out when stressed or agitated. Like most animals, cattle can easily become frustrated, fearful, or threatened in unfamiliar or uncomfortable circumstances. Anger helps bulls defend themselves in uncertain situations.
Protective Instincts
Bulls can also turn aggressive and angry when defending calves, cows, or herd members from perceived threats. In the wild, bulls help guard the herd from predators. They use displays of anger like charging, bellowing, and headbutting to scare away intruders and protect the group.
These protective instincts are strong. A bull may turn aggressive when defending themselves, calves, or herd mates from danger. They attack to neutralize any perceived threat. For example, a bull may charge at a predator like a wolf going after calves or a farmer trying to isolate cows.
Pain and Illness
Bulls in pain or discomfort from injury or illness may also lash out in anger. Like all animals, cattle can become more aggressive when sick, wounded, or in pain. If a bull has an infected wound, joint pain, foot rot, or another ailment causing chronic pain, it may be more likely to act out with aggression.
Bulls may bellow, kick, charge, or headbutt when touched near the source of pain. Their aggression serves to make handlers and herd mates avoid aggravating injured areas. While pain and illness do not excuse dangerous behaviors, it helps explain why afflicted bulls may have shortened tempers.
Lack of Socialization
Finally, lack of socialization and training is another factor that contributes to aggression and anger issues in bulls. Bulls raised in total isolation from humans and other bulls are more likely to be fearful, stressed, and aggressive. They act defensively because they are unused to human interaction.
Well-socialized bulls that are bottle fed and handled from a young age are typically calmer and less prone to aggression. They learn to trust and accept human interaction. Proper training teaches them to respect handlers and minimizes dangerous behaviors like charging.
Bulls allowed to grow up in a herd also learn hierarchy rules. The older bulls teach younger ones when to back down from a challenge. This social development helps curb aggressive tendencies.
Conclusion
In summary, bulls get angry and aggressive due to natural influences like testosterone, breeding behaviors, stress, and protective instincts. Bulls use anger and aggression to establish dominance, claim territory and rank, compete for mates, and protect the herd. While sometimes perceived as independent “meanness,” most bull aggression serves an evolutionary purpose.
Understanding the biological and social factors that trigger aggressive behavior in bulls can help improve safety. Keeping bulls in natural herds, reducing stress, and proper socialization/training from a young age helps minimize aggressive tendencies. Learning how to properly interact with bulls and read warning signs of pending aggression can also lower risks.
While bulls do get angry at times, respecting their instincts and needs allows peaceful coexistence. Precautions like sturdy pens, careful handling, and keeping visitors protected can let bulls safely express their natural behaviors.
Though powerful and often aggressive, bulls typically only get angry for communicative reasons, not out of random viciousness. Appreciating the message behind bull aggression creates opportunities for safe interactions and better bull welfare.