no dairy cow would survive 20 years without shelter from the elements, protection from predators, veterinary care, ample food, and clean water. That’s not a natural lifespan. That’s an artificial lifespan.
Anyhow, livestock is being killed well before they reach maturity. All for human pleasure.
Kind of a moot point since dairy cows, like the majority of animals raised for food, are man-made breeds and wouldn’t exist in the wild anyway. But you knew I meant when I said natural lifespan, as in how long they’d live if they weren’t killed as juveniles.
I’ve actually been quite clear in the definition of life span I’m using. You appear to be intentionally misunderstanding my point.
The limits of the life span of each species appear to be determined ultimately by heredity. Locked within the code of the genetic material are instructions that specify the age beyond which a species cannot live given even the most favourable conditions.
https://www.britannica.com/science/life-span
Can you at least be consistent in your argument? On the one hand, you say that a species’ lifespan in captivity can’t be an indicator of their natural lifespan, because they wouldn’t survive as long in the wild. On the other hand, you say that a livestock species’ lifespan is dictated by when humans choose to slaughter them. Can you explain how these arguments don’t contradict each other?
I’m happy to engage in a good faith conversation with you on this if you’re interested.
