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About Yak:
bovine mammal, Bos grunniens 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.
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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