A yak is a large, long-haired, long-horned bovine from the Himalayas and Central Asia. They are heavily built animals with sturdy legs, rounded, cloven hooves, and extremely dense, long fur that hangs down lower than the belly. While wild yaks are generally dark, blackish to brown in coloration, domestic yaks can be quite variable in color, often having patches of rusty brown and cream. Yaks are members of the bovine family and are related to cows and buffalo, all of which are likely descended from aurochs, an extinct species of cattle. Domestic yaks far outnumber wild ones and are bred for their tractability for plowing and threshing, high milk production, meat, hides, and fur.
Here are some fun facts about yaks:
- The English word "yak" originates from the Tibetan word "yag".
- Yaks have small ears and wide foreheads, with smooth horns that are generally dark in color.
- In parts of Tibet and Karakorum, yak racing is a form of entertainment at traditional festivals and is considered a prestigious event.
- Yaks can survive in high altitudes and harsh climates, withstanding temperatures as low as -40 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Yaks have a two-layered coat of shaggy fur that insulates them from the cold and keeps them cool in the summer.
- Yaks are herbivores and graze on grasses, herbs, and shrubs.
- Yaks can carry heavy loads and are used as pack animals in mountainous regions.
- Yaks can interbreed with domestic cattle and produce hybrids known as "yattle" or "dzo".
