With a long, shaggy coat and having the ability to withstand extremely cold weather conditions, the wild Yak, also known as Bos mutus, is one of the toughest and strongest members of the bovine family.
How Much Do Wild Yaks Weigh?
Wild Yaks are tall, long, bulky animals. Their heights range from 5 feet to 7 feet tall at the shoulder, and their body length is normally between 8 and 11 feet long.
Males can weigh as much as 670 to 2,200 pounds.
Females are much smaller, weighing between 500 pounds and 600 pounds.
Interesting Wild Yak Facts:
Native to the Himalayas, this Yak species is black and brown in color and has a pair of curved horns that are used to protect them from predators, such as wolves.
They have broad, split hooves and sturdy, powerful legs. This allows the wild Yak to climb and easily overcome rocky slopes and other difficult terrains that are common in the Himalayas.
Despite having poor eyesight, this sub-species of Yak is still fully aware of what is going on around it, thanks to its excellent hearing and sense of smell.
Unfortunately, the Wild Yak is considered to be a vulnerable species, with an estimated 10,000 of these animals still living freely in the wild.
Wild Yak are herbivores and their diet mainly consists of different types of grasses, herbs, sedges, mosses, and shrubs.
Although they are related to domestic Yak, the wild Yak is bigger and more elusive.
~ Fun Fact ~
Wild Yaks are naturally equipped to thrive in very cold, difficult conditions and in high altitudes.
Their thick, wooly coat, the fact that they have only a few sweat glands, their large set of lungs, and the high amount of red blood cells in their blood protects them from the cold, and they can survive in temperatures as low as -40 Degrees Celsius, which is also -40 Fahrenheit!