Yak (Bos Grunniens) - Animals - A-Z Animals - Animal Facts, Information, Pictures, Videos, Resources and Links

Although there is a large domestic population of yak, there are only a few wild yak remaining . The yak is still used in many parts of central Asia, for pulling heavy farm machines and transporting large loads through the mountain passes.

The average male yak can grow to about 2meters tall, with the female yak being about 1/3 the size of the male yak. All yak have very long hair to keep them warm.

The yak belongs to the same cow family as the Asian water buffalo, the African buffalo and the American bison. However, the yak is slightly more like the American bison in appearance as both the yak and the bison have long hair in order to withstand the colder climates, the bison of the North American winters and the yak of the mid-Asian mountains.

The yak breeds in the warmer months of September and after a gestation period of nine months the female yak gives birth to a single yak calf. A female yak will occasionally give birth to twins but it is very rare. Some female yak give birth to a calf almost every year but it depends on the environment in which the yak lives and the yak individual. Yak babies are completely independent by the time that they are a year old and they are fully grown when they are between 7 and 8 years old. The average lifespan of a yak is about 20 years in the wild and slightly longer when in captivity.

Like other species of cow, the yak is a herbivore and spends a great deal of time on grassy plains in the mountains grazing on grasses, herbs and wild flowers. In a similar way to other cow species the yak has more than one stomach which the yak uses to successfully get all of the nutrients out of the plants that it eats.

The yak has firm, dense horns which the yak uses to break through snow in order to get the plants that are buried beneath it and the yak will also use it's horns in defence. They have long shaggy hairthat covers their bodies that keep them warm and dry.

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Yak Facts

Kingdom:

A level of classifying all living things on earth, as similar species are broken into 5 groups including plants, animals and fungi....

Animalia

Phylum:

A level of classifying animals within the animal kingdom. Phylum are further divided into subgroups called classes....

Chordata

Class:

A level of classifying animals in a phylum. Classes are then sub-divided into further groups known as orders....

Mammalia

Order:

A level used to classify animals. Classes are broken into sub-groups known as order, which are broken down further into families....

Artiodactyla

Family:

A level of classifying animals within an order. Orders are broken down in families and families are broken down further into smaller groups called genus....

Bovidae

Genus:

A level of classifying animals within a family. Families are divided into sub-groups called genus which generally contain one or two animal species....

Bos

Scientific Name:

Bos Grunniens

Type:

Mammal

Diet:

Herbivore

Size:

2-2.2m (6.5-7.2ft)

Weight:

300-1,000kg (661-2,200lbs)

Top Speed:

40km/h (25mph)

Life Span:

15-20 years

Lifestyle:

Herd

Conservation Status:

The conservation status of a species is an indicator of the likelihood of that species remaining extant either in the present day or the near future. Many factors are taken into account when assessing the conservation s...

Threatened

Colour:

Brown, Black, White

Skin Type:

Hair

Favourite Food:

Grass

Habitat:

The term habitat is used to describe a specific area where a particular animal lives, within an environment. Many animals have adapted to requiring specific conditions which can only be found in their natural habitat su...

Alpine meadows and open hills

Average Litter Size:

Main Prey:

When an animal is referred to prey, it means that the animal is either hunted or caught for food. Animals that are referred to as prey are generally hunted by bigger animals, although there are a number of exceptions....

Grass, Herbs, Mosses

Predators:

When an animal is referred to as a predator, it means that the animal either hunts or catches other animals. Predatory animals are generally dominant within their environment and will generally hunt animals smaller than...

Human, Bears, Wolves

Special Features:

Thick, hairy coat and large horns

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