North American Introduced Yak Hunting

Yak

(Bos grunniens)

Current SCI all time record: Score 97 2/8 - Florida, Brahma Island - 3/79

Description: The dark black-brown coat is dense, wooly, and extremely shaggy, although the colour is variable in domestic yaks. 'Golden' wild yaks are also known, but are extremely rare. The shoulders are high and humped, with a broad, drooping head. The short legs have broad hooves and large dewclaws as an adaptation to mountainous environments. The horns are found in both sexes, though those of the females are considerably smaller and shorter. They grow up to 51 cm / 20 inches long in females, and 95 cm / 38 inches in males. The curved horns grow out from the sides of the head and curve upwards.

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Range: (Indigenous to central Asia): Primarily Texas, Colorado, and Florida; year around.

Natural History: Due to the scarcity of vegetation in their habitat, wild yaks must travel great distances in order to obtain sufficient nourishment. In July, there is a general downward shift from the high plateaus to the lower plains, where mosses and swamp vegetation are at their peak. As the temperature rises in August, the herds head back up to the plateaus, even retiring to snowy regions to beat the heat. Although sensitive to warm temperatures, wild yaks can easily tolerate temperatures of -40o C/F. In severe cold, they have been seen bathing in lakes and streams. Generally distrustful, if a herd is disturbed they will flee for a long distance, galloping with their tails held erect. If something unexpected appears in their flight path, yaks will bluff, attacking with a fast charge and normally stopping just 10-20 meters / 30-60 feet away from the intruder. In spite of their bulky, awkward appearance, yaks are excellent, sure-footed climbers. One of the few vocalizations is a loud grunt, made during the breeding season by wild yaks. Domestic yaks, however, "grunt" throughout the year - hence the specific name grunniens.

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