The takin is endangered because of overhunting and habitat destruction. It is also prey to bears and wolves. (Nowak 1999)
US Federal List: no special status
CITES: appendix ii
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: vulnerable
Also known as "cattle chamois" and "gnu goat," the takin has physical similarities to all of these animals. The body length of an adult male is between 210 and 220 cm, and a female is about 170 cm. The tail reaches about 15 cm, and is usually hidden under the thick, long, shaggy fur. The coat is whitish yellow to golden yellow to reddish brown, and has a dark stripe down the back. A male grows to stand about 120 cm at the shoulders, whereas a female is around 105 cm. The takin's head is large with an arched muzzle and a broad, naked nose. The horns, which appear in both sexes, can be as long as 64 cm. They are "transversely ribbed" and start "near the midline of the head, abruptly turn outward, and then sweep backward and upward" (Nowak 1999, p.1215). The legs are short and have large, strong two-toed hooves with a highly developed spur. (Parker 1989, Nowak 1999, Minelli and Minelli 1997)
Range mass: 150 to 400 kg.
Range length: 170 to 220 cm.
Other Physical Features: endothermic ; homoiothermic; bilateral symmetry
Sexual Dimorphism: male larger; ornamentation
Average lifespan
Status: captivity: 15.8 years.
This species is found in elevations from 1000 to 4250 meters. The habitat ranges from rocky, grass covered alpine zones to forested valleys. (Parker 1989)
Terrestrial Biomes: taiga ; savanna or grassland ; forest ; mountains
The species Budorcas taxicolor is found in Eastern Tibet, Sikkim, Bhutan, northern Assam, northern Burma, and central and southern China. (Nowak 1999)
Biogeographic Regions: palearctic (Native ); oriental (Native )
The takin is a generalist herbivore, mostly a browser. It feeds in the early morning or late afternoon and eats primarily deciduous leaves found on trees or shrubs, but also grasses and herbs. During the winter, the food of choice is twigs or evergreen leaves. This species has been known to topple saplings up to 10 cm in diameter, or even stand on it hind legs in order to reach leaves. Takins also require great mineral intake, and sometimes travel great distances to reach salt deposits, where they may stay for several days. (Minelli and Minelli 1997, Parker 1989)
Native peoples commonly hunt the takin for its meat. (Nowak 1999)
Positive Impacts: food
None found
Perception Channels: tactile ; chemical
Mating in this species occurs in July and August. Gestation lasts around 7 or 8 months. Only one young is conceived during each pregnancy, and it usually weighs between 5 and 7 kg at birth. The young are able to follow their mother around within 3 days of birth, and they start to eat solid food after the first one or two months of life. Sexual maturity is attained after 30 months. (Nowak 1999)
Range number of offspring: 1 to 2.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Range gestation period: 6.67 to 7.33 months.
Key Reproductive Features: gonochoric/gonochoristic/dioecious (sexes separate); sexual
Average birth mass: 6000 g.
Average number of offspring: 1.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)
Sex: male: 730 days.
Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)
Sex: female: 730 days.
Parental Investment: post-independence association with parents; extended period of juvenile learning
The takin (Budorcas taxicolor; /ˈtɑːkɪn/ TAH-kin), also called cattle chamois or gnu goat,[2] is a large species of ungulate of the subfamily Caprinae found in the eastern Himalayas. It includes four subspecies: the Mishmi takin (B. t. taxicolor), the golden takin (B. t. bedfordi), the Tibetan (or Sichuan) takin (B. t. tibetana), and the Bhutan takin (B. t. whitei).
Whilst the takin has in the past been placed together with the muskox in the tribe Ovibovini, more recent mitochondrial research shows a closer relationship to Ovis (sheep).[3] Its physical similarity to the muskox is therefore an example of convergent evolution.[4] The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.[5]
The specific name taxicolor comes from Latin: taxus, lit. 'badger' and color, 'hue' referring to badger-like coloration.[6]
The takin rivals the muskox as the largest and stockiest of the subfamily Caprinae, which includes goats, sheep, and similar species. Its short legs are supported by large, two-toed hooves, which each have a highly developed spur.[2][7] It has a stocky body and a deep chest. Its large head is distinctive by its long, arched nose and stout horns, which are ridged at the base. These horns are present in both sexes, and run parallel to the skull before turning upwards to a short point; they are about 30 cm (12 in) long, but can grow up to 64 cm (25 in).[2] Its long, shaggy coat is light in color with a dark stripe along the back,[2] and males (bulls) also have dark faces.[7]
Four subspecies of takin are currently recognised, and these tend to show a variation in coat colour. Their thick wool often turns black in colour on their undersides and legs. Their overall coloration ranges from dark blackish to reddish-brown suffused with grayish-yellow in the eastern Himalayas to lighter yellow-gray in the Sichuan Province to mostly golden or (rarely) creamy-white with fewer black hairs in the Shaanxi Province.
The legend of the 'golden fleece' sought by Jason and the Argonauts[8] may have been inspired by the lustrous coat of the golden takin (B. t. bedfordi).[7] Hair length can range from 3 cm (1.2 in), on the flanks of the body in summer, up to 24 cm (9.4 in) on the underside of the head in winter.
In height, takin stand 97 to 140 cm (38 to 55 in) at the shoulder, but measure a relatively short 160–220 cm (63–87 in) in head-and-body length, with the tail adding only an additional 12 to 21.6 cm (4.7 to 8.5 in). Measurements of weights vary, but according to most reports, the males are slightly larger, weighing 300–350 kg (660–770 lb) against 250–300 kg (550–660 lb) in females.[9] Sources including Betham (1908) report that females are larger, with the largest captive takin known to the author, at 322 kg (710 lb), having been female. Takin can weigh up to 400 kg (880 lb) or 600 kg (1,300 lb) in some cases.[10][11]
Instead of relying on localized scent glands, the takin secretes an oily, strong-smelling substance over its whole body, enabling it to mark objects such as trees.[7] A prominent nose with a swollen appearance caused biologist George Schaller to liken the takin to a "bee-stung moose."[5] Features reminiscent of familiar domesticated species have earned takins such nicknames as "cattle chamois" and "gnu goat."
Takin are found from forested valleys to rocky, grass-covered alpine zones, at altitudes between 1,000 and 4,500 m (3,300 and 14,800 ft) above sea level.[2] The Mishmi takin occurs in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, while the Bhutan takin is in western Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan.[12] Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, India is a stronghold of both Mishmi, Upper Siang (Kopu)[13] and Bhutan takins.[14]
Takin are found in small family groups of around 20 individuals, although older males may lead more solitary existences. In the summer, herds of up to 300 individuals gather high on the mountain slopes.[2] Groups often appear to occur in largest numbers when favorable feeding sites, salt licks, or hot springs are located. Mating takes place in July and August. Adult males compete for dominance by sparring head-to-head with opponents, and both sexes appear to use the scent of their own urine to indicate dominance. A single young is born after a gestation period of around eight months.[2] Takin migrate from the upper pasture to lower, more forested areas in winter and favor sunny spots upon sunrise.[2] When disturbed, individuals give a 'cough' alarm call and the herd retreats into thick bamboo thickets and lies on the ground for camouflage.[8]
Takin feed in the early morning and late afternoon, grazing on a variety of leaves and grasses, as well as bamboo shoots and flowers.[8] They have been observed standing on their hind legs to feed on leaves over 3.1 m (10 ft) high. Salt is also an important part of their diets, and groups may stay at a mineral deposit for several days.[2]
The takin is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and considered Endangered in China. It is threatened by overhunting and the destruction of its natural habitat. It is not a common species naturally, and the population appears to have been reduced considerably. Takin horns have appeared in the illegal wildlife trade in Myanmar; and during three surveys carried out from 1999 to 2006 in the Tachilek market, a total of 89 sets of horns were observed openly for sale.[15]
Relationships with other caprines based on mitochondrial DNA after Bover et al.:[16]
Caprini†Bootherium (Helmeted muskox)
Ovibos (Musk ox)
Capricornis (Serow)
Naemorhedus (Goral)
Ovis (Sheep)
Oreamnos (Mountain goat)
Budorcas (Takin)
†Myotragus (Balearic islands goat)
Rupicapra (Chamois)
Ammotragus (Barbary sheep)
Arabitragus (Arabian tahr)
Pseudois (Bharal)
Hemitragus (Himalayan tahr)
Capra (Markhor, ibexes, goats)
The takin (Budorcas taxicolor; /ˈtɑːkɪn/ TAH-kin), also called cattle chamois or gnu goat, is a large species of ungulate of the subfamily Caprinae found in the eastern Himalayas. It includes four subspecies: the Mishmi takin (B. t. taxicolor), the golden takin (B. t. bedfordi), the Tibetan (or Sichuan) takin (B. t. tibetana), and the Bhutan takin (B. t. whitei).
Whilst the takin has in the past been placed together with the muskox in the tribe Ovibovini, more recent mitochondrial research shows a closer relationship to Ovis (sheep). Its physical similarity to the muskox is therefore an example of convergent evolution. The takin is the national animal of Bhutan.
