Wild Yak

The largest of all living creatures of the mountainous regions, the wild yak is an herbivorous species. Although domestic yaks have come from wild ones (wild yaks who got domesticated millions of years ago), they are now considered as two different species.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom	Animalia
Phylum	Chordata
Class	Mammalia
Order	Artiodactyla
Family	Bovidae
Subfamily	Bovinae
Genus	Bos
Scientific Name	Bos mutus

Quick Information

Description	Size: The length of males is 8.2-11ft (249-335 m) from head to body and the tail is 24-39 in (60.9-99 cm), while standing the height of the yak is 5.2-7.2 ft. Females have a smaller appearance   Weight: Males are 660-2,205 lb (299-1000 kg) and females are lighter than them   Color: Dark brown or black body with the muzzle being grey
Distribution	Western Qinghai(China), southern Xinjiang (China), northern Tibet, and Ladakh (India)
Habitat	Alpine tundra, mountainous regions and plateaus
Sounds and Communication	Grunting noise
Lifespan	20-25 years
Diet	Sedges like Kobresia, Stipa, Carex, and grasses
Adaptation	1. The lung of the yak and the physical strength are suitable for frequent climbing on uneven terrains. 2. They have a woolly coat and a fewer number of sweat glands that are good for preserving the body heat and surviving in the cold weather as much as -40°F. 3. The high content of red blood cells and hemoglobin are capable of carrying more oxygen that is required for living in high altitudes. 4. The hearing and smelling abilities of wild yaks are good enough to form an idea of objects and animals miles away.
Predators	Snow leopards, brown bears, and Tibetan wolves
IUCN Conservation Status	Vulnerable

Behavior

• Wild yaks travel in herds forming a single line led by the alpha yak. The rest of the yaks follow the exact footsteps of the leader.
• Males and females yaks are either found alone or staying in the same-sex herd. Female yaks stay on higher slopes (at least 1000 meters) than males.
• Yaks often huddle together while confronting a predator. Those who are in the front, lower their horns to scare the enemy.
• During the winter season, yaks consume snow for hydrating themselves while during summer months, they drink plenty of water.

Mating & Reproduction

Throughout the months of July and September, adult male yaks produce grunts and find their mates. They also become hostile during the phase. After the mating, followed by a gestation period of 258-270 days, female yaks give birth to one calf in April-June.

Life-cycle

Calves learn to stand right away and walk within a couple of hours of birth. They remain dependent on their mothers for feeding and other stuff for 1 year. By the age of 2, they become all grown up. While males attain sexual maturity around 6 years of age females are capable of breeding at an early age of 3.

Interesting Facts

• Wild yaks having golden hairs are named wild golden yak and according to Chinese people they are the endangered subspecies of wild yak.
• Only China has a zoo exhibiting a wild yak.

References

1. http://tibetnature.net/en/wild-yak/
2. https://animalia.bio/wild-yak
3. http://www.animalinfo.org/species/artiperi/bos_mutu.htm
4. https://www.activewild.com/wild-yak-facts/