Bovids are afamily ofeven-toed ungulatemammals.[1] The word "Bovidae" is comes fromLatinbos, "ox".[2] Even-toed ungulates are said to have "clovenhooves": that means their hooves are formed from two toes. They evolved early in theMiocene period.
They are allruminants, with the doublestomach system of digestingvegetation, which is most efficient. The family originated in theMiocene, and is now very successful. Their success is probably helped by their digestive system. The group includes the threedomestic animalscows,sheep andgoats.
↑ Grubb P. 2005. Family Bovidae. In Wilson D.E. & Reeder D.M (eds)Mammal Species of the World: a taxonomic and geographic reference. 3rd ed, Johns Hopkins University Press. pp. 637–722.ISBN 978-0-8018-8221-0. OCLC 62265494.
↑"Bovidae".Merriam-Webster online dictionary. Retrieved7 October 2014.
