Wildlifeof Bhutan
Himalayan Takin
Wild Cattle & Serow
Photo: Benjissimo · CC BY 3.0 (May be cropped or resized)
Budorcas taxicolor
Basic stats
Diet
Leaves, grasses, bamboo shoots and flowers
Habitat
Moves from upper pastures to lower, more forested areas in winter
Range
Eastern Himalayas; the Bhutan takin in western Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan
Gestation period
About 8 months
Size
Shoulder 97–140cm; head and body 160–220cm
Weight
Bulls 300–350kg; females 250–300kg
The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is a large ungulate of the eastern Himalayas whose long, shaggy coat is light in colour with a dark stripe along the back, and bulls also have dark faces. Both sexes carry horns, about 30cm long but up to 64cm. Its resemblance to the muskox is an example of convergent evolution, and genetic work shows a closer relationship to sheep (Wikipedia, general species account).
Three subspecies are recognised, and the Bhutan takin occurs in western Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. Takin live in small family groups of around 20, with older males more solitary, and groups gather where feeding sites, salt licks or hot springs are found. Mating is in July and August, and a single young is born after about eight months. They migrate to lower forest in winter and feed in the early morning and late afternoon.
Quick answers
- What does the Himalayan Takin eat?
- Leaves, grasses, bamboo shoots and flowers
- What habitat does the Himalayan Takin live in?
- Moves from upper pastures to lower, more forested areas in winter
- Where is the Himalayan Takin found?
- Eastern Himalayas; the Bhutan takin in western Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan
- How long is the gestation period of the Himalayan Takin?
- About 8 months
- How big is the Himalayan Takin?
- Shoulder 97–140cm; head and body 160–220cm
- How much does the Himalayan Takin weigh?
- Bulls 300–350kg; females 250–300kg