Takin

Presentation

The takin (Budorcas taxicolor) is a large hoofed mammal living in the eastern Himalayan highlands and southwestern China. It belongs to the Bovidae family and has a stocky build, part cattle and part goat, with dense fur and a broad head. The national emblem of Bhutan, it inhabits dense forests and alpine meadows at varying elevations depending on the season. Its robust appearance and gregarious behavior make it an emblematic species of Asian mountains.

The takin has a compact body, short muscular legs, and a prominent head resembling that of a wildebeest or buffalo. Both males and females carry short horns that curve backward. Its coat ranges from golden to dark brown depending on the subspecies and season, providing effective camouflage in mountainous terrain.

Characteristics

Indicative values: they vary by subspecies, sex and region.

Habitat and distribution

The takin inhabits dense forests of bamboo and conifers as well as alpine meadows in mountainous regions. It is found at altitudes ranging from 1,000 to over 4,500 metres depending on the season. This type of habitat provides both abundant food and cover from predators.

Behaviour

The takin lives in herds ranging from a few individuals to several dozen, especially in summer. It undertakes seasonal vertical migrations, descending to forests in winter and climbing to alpine meadows in summer. It is a generally calm animal but will charge if threatened, particularly solitary males.

Reproduction

The breeding season typically occurs between July and August. After a gestation period of around eight months, the female gives birth to a single calf, rarely two. The young takin is able to follow the herd shortly after birth and reaches sexual maturity around two or three years of age.

Peculiarities

The takin emits a strong musky odour that likely serves territorial communication. Its hybrid appearance, between a musk ox and an antelope, has long intrigued naturalists. It is sometimes called a "goat-ox" because of its composite appearance.

Threats and conservation

The takin is threatened by hunting, deforestation and fragmentation of its mountain habitat. Increasing human pressure in border areas reduces its natural migration spaces. Protection programmes exist notably in Bhutan and China.

References

Profile updated 03 September 2026 · Reviewed by the TunisieVet editorial team.