Russia's wildlife ABC: Yak
A shaggy highland giant with a coat that withstands even −40°C temps.
The yak is one of the largest and strongest bovines on the planet. Adults stand up to two meters at the withers and weigh up to 1,000 kg. In Russia, wild yaks inhabit the mountains of Altai, Tuva and Buryatia. The yak's most distinctive feature is its wool coat: long, shaggy and hanging almost to the ground. Beneath it lies a thick undercoat and each hair is hollow inside – a true natural thermal insulator. It protects the yak from temps as low as −40°C.
