The Sichuan takin (Budorcus taxicolor) belongs to a group of large, hoofed mammals called the goat antelopes,
Budorcus taxicolor at the Cincinnati Zoo
which share characteristics with both goats and antelopes. Living high up in the mountains, the takin wears a thick coat of dark, shaggy fur to keep warm in winter, similar to its more well-known relative, the musk ox. The takin eats just about anything green and is most active in the early morning and late afternoon. In between meals, the takin rests.
An oily substance secreted from the takin’s skin forms a waterproof layer of protection.To reach higher leaves, a takin might stand on its hind legs while resting its front legs on the tree’s trunk.The takin alerts other members of its herd to an approaching bear or wolf with a coughing sound.
Fact File[]
- Height: 3.3 to4.3 ft
- Weight: 550 to 770 lbs
- Lifespan: 12 to 15 yrs
- Habitat: Mountain forest
- Diet: Grasses, leaves, buds, and shoots
- Risk Status: Species at risk (IUCN-Vulnerable)