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Animals often behave in ways that seem almost human, or sometimes, completely alien. Beyond their basic instincts, many creatures possess traits that challenge what we think we know about nature. Here are five hidden truths about the animal world.

• Cows Have Best Friends: Just like humans, cows are social creatures that form deep bonds with specific members of their herd. Research has shown that their heart rates decrease and they become much calmer when they are hanging out with their favorite buddy.
• Elephants Can Hear with Their Feet: While they have massive ears, elephants also use their feet to pick up seismic vibrations from the ground. They can detect the sound of distant thunderstorms or the thundering footsteps of another herd from many miles away.
• Squirrels are Accidental Tree Planters: Millions of trees grow every year because squirrels bury their nuts and seeds underground and then simply forget where they put them. This forgetfulness is a key part of how forests regenerate and spread.
• Pigeons are Experts at Art: Believe it or not, pigeons can be trained to tell the difference between paintings by Claude Monet and Pablo Picasso. They are able to distinguish between different artistic styles and even recognize images they have never seen before.
• A Group of Ravens is Called an Unkindness: Animal groups have some of the most creative names in the English language. A group of ravens is an unkindness, a group of owls is a parliament, and a group of flamingos is called a flamboyance.