Yak standing facing white nose black fur in Forest Mountain range near Wangdu Bhutan Horizontal 91529_Bhutan-Yak
Wild yaks can weigh up to 1,200 kg and have a head and body length of 3– meters. They usually form groups of between 10 and 30 animals. Their habitat is treeless uplands such as hills, mountains and plateaus between 3,200 m and 5,400 m. Yak physiology is well adapted to high altitudes, having larger lungs and heart than cattle found at lower altitudes, as well as greater capacity for transporting oxygen through their blood. They eat grasses, lichens and other plants. They are insulated by dense, close, matted under-hair as well as their shaggy outer hair. Yaks secrete a special sticky substance in their sweat which helps keep their under-hair matted and acts as extra insulation. This secretion is used in traditional Nepalese medicine. Many wild yaks are killed for food by the Tibetans; they are now a vulnerable species. Domesticated yaks are kept primarily for their milk, fiber and meat, and as beasts of burden. They transport goods across mountain passes for local farmers and traders as well as for climbing and trekking expeditions. Only one thing makes it hard to use yaks for long journeys in barren regions. They will not eat grain, which could be carried on the journey. They will starve unless they can be brought to a place where there is grass. They also are used to draw ploughs. Yak dung is even burned as fuel. Yak milk is often processed to a cheese called chhurpi in Tibetan and Nepali languages. Butter made of Yaks' milk is an ingredient of the butter tea that Tibetans consume in large quantities, and is also used in lamps and made into butter sculptures used in religious festivities.
Size: 5616px × 3744px
Location: Yuwak Bhutan Asia
Photo credit: © DV Wildlife / Alamy / Afripics
License: Licensed
Model Released: No
Keywords: animal, bhutan, bhutanese, destination, farm, farming, forest, fur, hair, holiday, horn, horns, life, male, mammal, milk, mountain, safari, tibet, tibetain, tibetan, tour, tourism, tourist, wild, world, yak
