January 5, 2011

Y is for Yakow

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:

??? said...

Beautiful photos of an animal I hadn't heard of before.

Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis Hall said...

love these animals a lot.

Unknown said...

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

Sylvia K said...

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

Kay L. Davies said...

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

Roger Owen Green said...

Ah, no one else is likely to pick THIS one. Great choice.

ROG, ABC Wednesday team

VP said...

Nice to meet you strange animal, I think this is the closer I'll ever get to you!
Great captures, Francisca!

Dina said...

Strange ones. They look so long. In the first photo, like buffalo.
And some mighty pointy horns.

photowannabe said...

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.

DeniseinVA said...

Brilliant photos and magnificent looking animals these Yakow. Thanks for taking me to so many exotic climes Francisca, and Happy New Year!

Leslie: said...

Fascinating animal...I must remember this in case it comes up in my daily crossword puzzle. Happy New Year! :D

EG CameraGirl said...

This is the first I have heard of a yakow! Fascinating!

Richard Lawry said...

I'm always learning something new on ABC Wednesday. Now I know what a Yakow is.

An Arkies Musings

Unknown said...

I feel like I'm up on my bovine facts now! ;-) The landscape is beautiful, Francisca!

VioletSky said...

they do have big scruffy coats!
But, my waht beautiful, desolate scenery they live in.

Wanda said...

Wow, this is a new one! Great choice for "Y"

Happy New Year

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

Thanks, you taught me something new today.

Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪 said...

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.

Lowell said...

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!

Cezar and Léia said...

Imagine!And they look so robust!
Amazing and interesting post, thanks for sharing!
Léia

Nanka said...

Made a very interesting learning experience. Never had heard of dzo!!

Marvelous pics!!

My Y is HERE.

fredamans said...

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

jabblog said...

Interesting looking animals. There must be so many hybrids I've never heard of but I'll remember this one, now;-)

greg urbano said...

some kinda cowboy right?

Pat Tillett said...

Never heard of that before! thanks for the photo tour of a place I've never been to...

Jay at The Depp Effect said...

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!

Unknown said...

Love these shots! Once again they remind me of Tibet.

Unknown said...

Lovely countryside.