Yak

Yaks are closely related to cattle and well adapted to a cold mountain climate. They are common and very important domestic animals in Tibet and Mongolia.

The darker-coated and larger wild yaks (Bos mutus), on the other hand, are threatened. They face threats such as competition and cross-breeding with domestic yaks, diseases spread by cattle and increasing human habitation in the mountains.

Yak cows and their calves live in herds. The bulls, which are much larger than the cows, spend their time alone or in small groups, except in the mating season. Wild yak bulls only grunt during the rut, while domestic yaks can be noisy year-round. Despite their stout and clumsy appearance, yaks are highly skilled at climbing steep and icy slopes.