A yakow, you might guess, is a hybrid between the long-haired yak of the Himalayas and a domestic cow; a bovid hybrid also called dzo. The hybrid is larger and stronger than either the yak or the cow and is considered to be more productive in producing milk or meat.
I've seen these scruffy looking beasts on the edge of the Tibetan Plateau in the outskirts of Xiahe in Gansu as well as in Mongolia. Today I share with you a few of my China photos. [Click to enlarge.]
Gansu, 2007
And this post is linked to the team at ABC Wednesday where you'll find many interesting posts on subjects with the letter Y.
28 comments:
Beautiful photos of an animal I hadn't heard of before.
love these animals a lot.
Thank you for introducing me to the dzo or yakow. Definitely a winning combination! Wonderful photos of the animals, their herders, and the terrain.
HelenMac, ABC team
I always learn something new on your blog, Francisca! And this fellow is new to me -- know about Yaks just not Dzos! Terrific photos as always and a wonderful look at another country! Thank you! Enjoy your week!
Sylvia
Wow, a yakow! Bunches of yakows. Never heard of them, but it makes sense. Lots of prairie farmers raise bison crosses. Very interesting photos.
-- K
Kay, Alberta, Canada
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
Ah, no one else is likely to pick THIS one. Great choice.
ROG, ABC Wednesday team
Nice to meet you strange animal, I think this is the closer I'll ever get to you!
Great captures, Francisca!
Strange ones. They look so long. In the first photo, like buffalo.
And some mighty pointy horns.
What amazing looking creatures. I love their shaggy long fur. Purfect for the rugged world they live in.
Your blog is always so fascinating to look at. thanks for sharing a world I probably will never see in person.
Brilliant photos and magnificent looking animals these Yakow. Thanks for taking me to so many exotic climes Francisca, and Happy New Year!
Fascinating animal...I must remember this in case it comes up in my daily crossword puzzle. Happy New Year! :D
This is the first I have heard of a yakow! Fascinating!
I'm always learning something new on ABC Wednesday. Now I know what a Yakow is.
An Arkies Musings
I feel like I'm up on my bovine facts now! ;-) The landscape is beautiful, Francisca!
they do have big scruffy coats!
But, my waht beautiful, desolate scenery they live in.
Wow, this is a new one! Great choice for "Y"
Happy New Year
Thanks, you taught me something new today.
strang the other day, my daughter was telling me about the Foie gras farmers hybrid different ducks. I told her in Borneo, we also have hybrid ducks.
Do the Yakow have claves? I suppose they do when they have milk. Oh dear, there goes my theory.
Y, y, y? :-)
Being ignorant of so many things in the Orient, I had not heard of a yakow and thought you were pulling my leg. It doth appear, however, they are real creatures unless you've photoshopped all these pics! ;-)
Very interesting!
And thanks for your many comments this morning...you must be home from your travels...
I'm going to stop yakking now!
Imagine!And they look so robust!
Amazing and interesting post, thanks for sharing!
Léia
Made a very interesting learning experience. Never had heard of dzo!!
Marvelous pics!!
My Y is HERE.
They look more yak than cow... still cool. Learn something new every day.
http://fredamans.blogspot.com/2011/01/abc-wednesday-x-y-is-for.html
Interesting looking animals. There must be so many hybrids I've never heard of but I'll remember this one, now;-)
some kinda cowboy right?
Never heard of that before! thanks for the photo tour of a place I've never been to...
Most interesting .. I wonder how they come to be bigger than either parent?
And thanks for the word 'dzo'. It will come in handy for Scrabble!
Love these shots! Once again they remind me of Tibet.
Lovely countryside.
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