The scientific name of the domestic cow is Bos taurus.
Modern cattle descend mainly from the extinct aurochs, a wild bovine that once lived across much of Europe, Asia, and North Africa. Cattle were domesticated independently in the Near East and South Asia thousands of years ago.
Bos taurus traditionally refers to taurine cattle, while zebu cattle are often classified as Bos indicus or as a subspecies of Bos taurus. Many modern breeds have ancestry from both groups, so cattle classification can vary between taxonomic systems.
Cattle are raised for milk, meat, leather, and draft power. The domestic yak and water buffalo are related farm bovines, but they are different species and should not be confused with the domestic cow.