Yak

The yak (Bos grunniens) is a long-haired humped domestic bovine found in Tibet and throughout the Himalayan region of south central Asia . The wordyak refers to the male of the species; a female is a dri or nak.

Wild yak stand about two meters tall at the shoulder. Domestic yak are about half that height. Both types have long shaggyhair to insulate them from the cold. Wild yak can be either brown or black. Domesticated ones can also be white.

Domesticated yak are kept primarily for their milk and meat . They are also used as beasts of burden, transporting goods across mountain passes for local farmers and tradersas well as in support of climbing and trekking expeditions. Often the pack animals are actually crossbreeds of the yak andBos taurus (common domestic cattle ). These are known in Tibetan asdzo or dzopkyo.

The wild yak is an endangered species.

See also: Yakovlev aircraft, Jeff Minter