Takin (Budorcas taxicolor)

MammalGoat-antelopeHimalayaAsia

Overview

The takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is a large, heavily built goat-antelope of the eastern Himalayas and the mountains of western China, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Big males can weigh well over 300 kilograms, with a stocky body, sturdy legs, short curved horns, and a distinctively humped, moose-like muzzle.

Despite a slightly ungainly appearance, the takin is a sure-footed mountain animal. It belongs to the subfamily that includes sheep and goats, and several colour forms occur — including the pale, honey-gold “golden takin,” which some accounts link to the legend of the Golden Fleece (a piece of folklore rather than established fact).

The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with hunting and habitat loss the main pressures.

Habitat & Range

Takins live in rugged forested mountains and alpine meadows, often at high elevations among rhododendron and bamboo thickets. Many populations migrate up and down the slopes with the seasons — climbing to high alpine zones in summer and descending to sheltered valleys and forest in winter.

Diet

The takin is a herbivore that browses and grazes on a wide range of plants — leaves, shoots, grasses, herbs, and bamboo — and reaches up on its hind legs to feed on higher foliage. It also visits natural mineral licks to supplement its diet with salts.

Behavior

Takins are often social, gathering in herds (especially in summer), while older males may be more solitary. Rather than relying on scent glands, a takin's skin secretes an oily, strong-smelling substance that coats the whole coat and helps shed rain and fog in its damp mountain home. The bulky nose, with its large sinuses, is thought to help warm and moisten cold mountain air as the animal breathes.

Human Interaction & Conservation

As Bhutan's national animal, the takin has cultural significance, but it faces hunting and the loss and disturbance of its mountain habitat. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, and it benefits from protected areas across its range. Consult the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.

More photos of the takin