Animal Profiles
Mammals

Yak

Bos grunniens

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The domestic yak is a shaggy grazer associated with cold Asian highlands. Thick hair and adaptations to thin air help it live at high elevations.

Bos grunniens (yak)

Alexandr frolov · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Domestic yaks are kept in and around the Tibetan Plateau and neighbouring highlands. The source also discusses wild yaks; their distribution is not a domestic herd range.
Habitat
Mountains, Grassland
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Low grasses, sedges and other alpine plants supply most food.

Classification

Common name
Yak
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Bos grunniens
Taxon rank
species
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Bovidae
Genus
Bos
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Domestic coat colours vary.
  • It is adapted to thin mountain air.
  • Domestic yaks are generally smaller than wild yaks.

Habitat and range

Domestic yaks are kept in and around the Tibetan Plateau and neighbouring highlands. The source also discusses wild yaks; their distribution is not a domestic herd range.

Appearance and adaptations

Long body hair provides insulation. Large lungs and blood adaptations support life at altitude; domestic animals vary in colour and horn development.

Diet and behaviour

Low grasses, sedges and other alpine plants supply most food. Yaks graze highland vegetation. Wild and domestic animals differ in size and management, so wild records should not be treated as typical domestic measurements.

Sources

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