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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:

  1. ???January 5, 2011 at 2:19 AM

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

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  2. Linda Bob Grifins Korbetis HallJanuary 5, 2011 at 2:35 AM

    love these animals a lot.

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  3. UnknownJanuary 5, 2011 at 2:38 AM

    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

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  4. Sylvia KJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:07 AM

    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

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  5. Kay L. DaviesJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:15 AM

    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

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  6. Roger Owen GreenJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:25 AM

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

    ROG, ABC Wednesday team

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  7. VPJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:11 AM

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

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  8. DinaJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:23 AM

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

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  9. photowannabeJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:46 AM

    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.

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  10. DeniseinVAJanuary 5, 2011 at 4:57 AM

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

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  11. Leslie:January 5, 2011 at 5:28 AM

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

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  12. EG CameraGirlJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:09 AM

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

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  13. Richard LawryJanuary 5, 2011 at 6:33 AM

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

    An Arkies Musings

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  14. UnknownJanuary 5, 2011 at 7:05 AM

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

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  15. VioletSkyJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:51 AM

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

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  16. WandaJanuary 5, 2011 at 3:24 PM

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

    Happy New Year

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  17. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪January 5, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Thanks, you taught me something new today.

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  18. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪January 5, 2011 at 3:30 PM

    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.

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  19. LowellJanuary 5, 2011 at 7:48 PM

    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!

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  20. Cezar and LéiaJanuary 5, 2011 at 9:55 PM

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

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  21. NankaJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:52 AM

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

    Marvelous pics!!

    My Y is HERE.

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  22. fredamansJanuary 6, 2011 at 1:30 AM

    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

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  23. jabblogJanuary 6, 2011 at 5:22 AM

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

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  24. greg urbanoJanuary 6, 2011 at 7:25 AM

    some kinda cowboy right?

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  25. Pat TillettJanuary 6, 2011 at 12:33 PM

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

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  26. Jay at The Depp EffectJanuary 7, 2011 at 8:59 AM

    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!

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  27. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 2:14 AM

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

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  28. UnknownJanuary 9, 2011 at 11:41 AM

    Lovely countryside.

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