Cattle are descended from a wild ancestor called the aurochs. The aurochs were huge animals which originated on the subcontinent of India and then spread into China, the Middle East, and eventually northern Africa and Europe. Aurochs are one of the animals painted on the famous cave walls near Lascaux, France.

What animal did the cow evolve from?

Cattle are descended from the now-extinct aurochs (Bos primigenius). Like many animals, cattle were likely domesticated more than once. The earliest domestication occurred some 10,500 years ago in present day Iran.

Are cattle indigenous to North America?

Cattle were not indigenous to North America, but were introduced by gold-seeking Spanish conquistadors. ... These Andalusians, known as 'black cattle,' also produced Spanish fighting bulls. Left on their own, the cattle strayed, grew larger and soon turned wild.