A cow normally has four nipples (or teats).
While four nipples are the standard, variations can occur. Some cows may have more than four teats. A book on variation by Bateson (1) notes that it is not uncommon for cows to have six teats, with four being the "normal" size and two smaller ones located posteriorly.
Here's a breakdown:
- Normal: Four teats of roughly equal size.
- Variation: Six teats are less frequent, with four large and two small ones.
Therefore, while rare, a cow can have more than four nipples.