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 Yaks
are bovine mammal. It is oxlike in build, with
short, thick legs, humped shoulders, large upcurved
horns, and a thick coat that hangs down to the
ankles. Wild yaks were formerly found from Kashmir
to West China, but were so extensively hunted for
meat and hides that they now survive only in
isolated highlands at elevations above 14,000 ft
(4,300 m). They live in herds numbering from 10 to
100 animals, mostly females and young led by a few
old bulls; males are mostly solitary. |
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Yaks have been domesticated for
centuries, and the domestic form has been introduced
into other parts of central Asia. The wild yak may
attain a shoulder height of 65 in. (165 cm) and have
horns 3 ft (90 cm) long; its coat is dark brown. The
domesticated yak is smaller, with short horns; its
coat, which may be long enough to reach the ground,
may be black, brown, reddish, piebald, or albino.
Yaks can live on vegetation so sparse that it cannot
support other domesticated animals. The domestic yak
is a source of milk, butter, meat, hair (for cloth),
and leather and is also much used as a beast of
burden. |
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