the Yak is a gigantic cow with a withers-height until 2 m and a weight up to one ton. The cows reach only the half of the weight of the bulls. The Yak has a long-stretched body. That is to be partially led back on it that it possesses one rib-pair more (altogether 14) than other cows. The hair of the black fur hangs down deeply at the body-sides and from the limbs. The tail is hairy from the root and forms a long tassel. From the wide skull, the horns originate from almost horizontally after the side, then, they bend upward and somewhat inward. The withers is so elevated through extended thorn-fort-sentences of the fuss that begun deeply the head appears.
Habitat The Yak lives in high-steppes and cold-deserts of Tibet between 4000 and 6000 m. Seas and swamps are in hollows of this landscape. There are not trees and more highly growing shrubs here.
Way of life The herds of the Wildyaks consist of cows, young and calves. The males live individually or in herds up to 12 pieces. Yaks linger on good pasture-places; with food-lack, they hike further. it lets found suitable new places for it well developed sense of smell. In the morning and in the evening, the Yaks are active. its Klettervermögen in rocky and snow-covered landscape is good. Waters require it for its well-being and like to take a bath. In blizzards, the Yaks move closer and turn off its back the wind.
Reproduction Yaks during the combination-time let its grunting voice heard. The males then fight together so severely that they rarely don't hurt themselves seriously. In September, the Brunft begins, that lasts until end of Octobers. After approximately 270 days of Tragzeit, the Yaks place 1 calves. Wildyakkühe bear only every 2 years. They attain the sexually mature with 6-8 years.
Food The Yaks are grass-gluttons mainly. They feed also herbs and lichens beside it.
Endangering Yaks are Kulturflüchter and endanger accordingly. Only low remainders lasted in some outlying areas, so at the foot of the Marco-Polo-Gebirges.
Hausyak (Bos mutus grunniens)) For approximately 3000 years, Yaks have been domesticated. The Hausyak is a reduced edition of the Wildyaks. its withers-height is 140 cm with a weight of 700 kg. The Hausyak is very variable in the color. The animals can black, brown, bay, white and perform also gescheckt. The horns also are variable. Many Hausyaks are horn-free.
In wide sharing of Asia, Yaks are held as pets of the cold zones. its spread extends from Afghanistan to North-China. Recently, Yaks were introduced to South-Greenland. they proved yourself well as single big-livestock there.
The Yak is a load-animal, who transports a freight of 150 kg over steep mountain-paths. The yak lets himself use also as mount. When milking, the cows deliver a high-fat milk, however in many more inferior bulk as house-cows. The milk is processed to butter, cheese and dry-masses been suitable for provision-purposes. The yaks are shorn once per year. The wool of the adult animals is somewhat coarse and long-haired. For blankets, ropes and many other things it lets herself use. The dried dung yields a sought-after fuel in the low-wood areas of its home. Yakfelle are resistant and warm. Yakschwänze are popular as fly-dusters. The meat is suitable for the human pleasure.
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