Poppy's One Year Anniversary

We’re celebrating our first anniversary with the adorable Scottish Highland calf you helped us name — Poppy! Since making her debut at Busch Gardens Williamsburg last year, Poppy has grown in both size and personality.

Thanks in large part to the motherly attentions of the park’s other Scottish Highland cow, Thistle, Poppy has really bloomed since she came to us last January from the Classic City Clydesdale Farm. Since Poppy is a calf, Thistle has become sweetly protective of her, showing her the ropes and leading her around to their pasture’s greenest parts. And when Poppy and Thistle aren’t basking in the sun at Highland Stables, they’re chowing down on hay and treats and mooing to our delighted guests. We’re excited to see their friendship continue to grow!

Because our guests can’t seem to get enough of the adorable Poppy, here are some more Scottish Highland cattle facts to lock horns with.

	Poppy may be young, but her pedigree is positively ancient. Scottish Highland cattle are the oldest registered cattle breed.
	All Scottish Highland cows have long hair with a slight wave. This wavy long-haired coat is unique to them.
	Speaking of hair, those overlong bangs in their eyes are totally intentional. These long fringes are known as “dossan” and protect their eyes from hail, rain, insects, and wind.
	Males and females both grow horns. A male’s horns will grow out and in, while a female’s will grow out and up.
	These cattle eat as much as 150 lbs. of grass a day, grazing for about eight hours. That’s a full day’s work!

Poppy and Thistle love visitors! Come visit the park and head over to Highland Stables to meet them. We’ll see you there!