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THE YAK. 
\ : 1 . J. ; ■ . \ J ? ' • 
Bos Crunniens. Native names: Dong, Brong Dong ( wild), Pegu (tame), 
Tibetan ; ¥ak, Ladak and N. Kumaon ; Banchour, Hind. \ 
Habitat. —Tibetan plateau at considerable elevations. Within Indian limits 
the wild Yak is found only in Northern Ladak, especially about Chang Chenmo. 
Period of gestation . — Ten months, the yonng are dropped in autumn. 
Description. —High and massive at the shoulder, the yak slopes away above the 
hips. Its legs are short and thick ; hoofs large and rounded ; muzzle and ears 
small, no dewlap. Hair smooth on upper parts and sides growing to a long, 
thick, bushy fringe below ; a tuft of long hair on the breast; an enormous 
tufted tail. A long bead and flat forehead with smooth, round horns, slightly 
oval at the base and curving outward and upward. Colour dark brown through¬ 
out, with the exception of some white about the muzzle. Old bulls are reddish 
on the back. It frequents the coldest, wildest and most desolate mountains 
and ranges higher than any other animal. Bulls are usually solitary, but the 
cows and young collect in herds. The sense of smell is more acute than the 
powers of sight and hearing. They are timid, but sometimes charge when 
wounded. 
Measurements. —Average height at shoulder 5 ft. 6 ins.; average head 
§7 ins. ; maximum single horn, measurement 40 ins, 
