Cattle are not native to North America. They were introduced to the continent by European settlers during the colonization period. The ancestors of modern cattle, known as aurochs, originated in Europe, Asia, and North Africa. These wild aurochs were domesticated thousands of years ago, leading to the development of the cattle we know today.
Before the arrival of Europeans, North America was home to other large herbivores like bison, which played a similar ecological role. The introduction of cattle had significant impacts on the environment and the indigenous cultures of North America, altering landscapes and traditional ways of life.