yaks

Yaks are large, shaggy bovids native to the high-altitude regions of the eastern Himalaya and the Tibetan Plateau. The domesticated yak, Bos grunniens, is descended from the wild yak, Bos mutus. They possess a thick, long coat and a robust body adapted to cold, windy environments. Horns are present in both sexes, with males generally having larger horns.

They typically inhabit elevations from about 3,000 to 5,500 meters, where vegetation is sparse and temperatures are low. Yaks are herbivores and graze on grasses, sedges, and dwarf shrubs, and they can forage in rugged terrain. Their physiology—large lungs, hearty heart, and high hemoglobin levels—helps them survive in hypoxic conditions.

Domesticated yaks are widely kept across the Tibetan Plateau and surrounding regions, including China, Nepal, India, and Mongolia. They are used as pack animals and sources of milk, meat, and fiber. Milk from yaks is rich in fat and is used to make butter, cheese, and yogurt. Yaks also provide hides and are valued for traction and transport in highland communities.

Yaks form social herds, typically led by older females. Calves are born after a gestation of about nine months and stay with the herd for several months. They are generally peaceful but can be protective in defense of calves or territory.

Wild yaks (the species Bos mutus) are classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN, facing threats from hunting, habitat loss, and interbreeding with domestic yaks, which can affect genetic integrity and wild populations. Domestic yaks remain abundant, though some local populations are influenced by changing land use and climate.