25-453: B. t. bedfordi B. t. taxicolor B. t. tibetana B. t. whitei The takin ( Budorcas taxicolor ; / ˈ t ɑː k ɪ n / 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 ),
50-546: A exception. While takins are generally found throughout mountainous areas of China, Burma, India and Bhutan, golden takins are confined to the Qinling Mountains in Shaanxi Province of China . They inhabit forests at elevations ranging from 1,200 to 3,500 m (3,900 to 11,500 feet), making them especially sensitive to deforestation and hunting. Golden takins gather in large herds each spring and migrate up
75-546: A bull sniffs and licks the female to determine if she is receptive . Takin cows seek out areas of dense vegetation to give birth in early spring, usually to a single child, though twin births have been observed in rare cases. If a young takin is separated from its mother, it lets out a noise to alarm the mother, and the mother answers with a low, guttural call that allows for them to reunite. A takin kid eats solid food and stops nursing at around two months old, although it may continue to stay near its mother until after her next calf
100-514: A variety of leaves and grasses, as well as bamboo shoots and flowers. 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. The takin is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and considered Endangered in China. It is threatened by overhunting and
125-483: Is a threatened subspecies of takin , native to the Qin Mountains in the south of China 's Shaanxi province. Golden takins are identified by their distinctive golden coats and are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching . They possess thick coats which contain oils that keep them insulated and prevents heat loss. The fur of the golden takin is white or off-white. In adult males, fur on
150-439: Is born. Horns begin to grow when the takin kid is about six months old. At birth, takin kids are much darker than adults, which acts as camouflage , helping to protect them from predators; the dark stripe along their back disappears and their coat gets lighter in color, longer, and shaggier as they get older. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve Dihang-Dibang or Dehang-Debang is a biosphere reserve constituted in 1998. It
175-587: Is in the Indian state of Arunachal Pradesh . The Mouling National Park and the Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary are located fully or partly within this biosphere reserve. The reserve spreads over three districts: Dibang Valley, Upper Siang, and West Siang. It covers high mountains of Eastern Himalaya and Mishmi Hills. The elevation in the reserve ranges up to more than 5,000 metres (16,000 ft) above sea level. An important fact relating to this Biosphere reserve
200-750: Is in western Arunachal Pradesh and Bhutan. Dihang-Dibang Biosphere Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh, India is a stronghold of both Mishmi, Upper Siang (Kopu) and Bhutan takins. 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. 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
225-418: Is likely influenced by the seasons and animals' sex, with the highest diversity occurring in spring, coinciding with their migrations. Higher concentrations of certain elements, such as arsenic , cobalt , copper , and selenium , have been detected in captive-bred specimens, with contaminated food being the main source of element exposure. Most levels were within safe ranges, with arsenic and lead being
250-573: Is that it has natural vegetation stretching in an unbroken sequence from the tropics to mountain tundra. The type of vegetation are found in this biosphere reserve can be grouped as 1. Sub-tropical broad leafed forests, 2. Sub tropical pine forest, 3. Temperate broad leafed forests, 4. Temperate conifer, 5. Sub-alpine woody shrub, 6. Alpine meadow( mountain Tundra), 7. Bamboo brakes, 8. Grassland. The habitat in Dihang-Dibang ranges from tropical wet evergreen in
275-694: 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 . The specific name taxicolor comes from Latin : taxus , lit. 'badger' and color , 'hue' referring to badger-like coloration. The takin rivals
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#1732916036463300-424: The calf do not appear until it is six months old. Takins also use pheromones in their urine to communicate sexual status and identity. Males spray their own forelegs, chest, and face with urine, and females soak their tails when urinating. Since it is illegal to hunt and capture golden takins, researchers study the takin via non-invasive methods, such as fecal collection. The fecal microbiota of golden takins
325-416: The course of maturing. Human disturbance is also speculated to be an influential factor, as takins who are disturbed by humans often run in different directions, splitting the group. Normally solitary, bull takins meet up with herds for a short time during the rut . Male bulls bellow loudly to attract cows and notify other bulls of their presence. They may find cows by tracking their scent. Once they meet,
350-1063: 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. Relationships with other caprines based on mitochondrial DNA after Bover et al.: Bos Pantholops † 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) Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi The golden takin ( Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi )
375-556: 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 may have been inspired by the lustrous coat of the golden takin ( B. t. bedfordi ). 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
400-443: 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. 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. A prominent nose with a swollen appearance caused biologist George Schaller to liken
425-455: The mountains to the tree line, at an altitude above 4,300 m (14,000 feet). As cooler weather approaches and food becomes scarce, they move down to forested valleys. Golden takins use the same routes during movement throughout the mountains despite where they are going; creating a series of well-worn paths through the dense growths of bamboo and rhododendrons that lead to their natural salt licks and grazing areas. Herd sizes change with
450-415: 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. 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. Horns are present in both sexes, and run parallel to
475-400: The neck and fore chest are golden. The horns, hooves , and hairless areas of the nostrils are black. The ears are short, narrow, and pointed; the tail is short, triangular, and hairless on the underside. Calves are easily identified by their smaller body size and brown-gray coat, as well as a dark-brown line of longer fur that extends from the base of their head to their tail. The horns of
500-410: The river gorges to subtropical, temperate, alpine and permanent snow. The reserve is rich in wildlife. Rare mammals such as Mishmi takin , red goral , musk deer (at least two sub-species), red panda , Asiatic black bear , occasional tiger and Gongshan muntjac occur, while among birds there are the rare Sclater's monal and Blyth's tragopan . Two flying squirrels have been discovered from
525-443: The scent of their own urine to indicate dominance. A single young is born after a gestation period of around eight months. Takin migrate from the upper pasture to lower, more forested areas in winter and favor sunny spots upon sunrise. When disturbed, individuals give a 'cough' alarm call and the herd retreats into thick bamboo thickets and lies on the ground for camouflage. Takin feed in the early morning and late afternoon, grazing on
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#1732916036463550-522: The seasons: during spring and early summer, herds can number up to 300 animals; during cooler months, when food is less plentiful, the large herds break up into smaller groups of 10 to 35 golden takins as they head up the mountain. Herds are made up of adult females, juveniles, subadults, and young males. Older males are generally solitary, except during the mating season in late summer. Group sizes are highly variable, influenced, among other things, by subadults gradually breaking off contact with their mother in
575-535: 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). Its long, shaggy coat is light in color with a dark stripe along the back, and males (bulls) also have dark faces. 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
600-452: The takin to a "bee-stung moose ." 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. The Mishmi takin occurs in eastern Arunachal Pradesh, while the Bhutan takin
625-542: 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. Sources including Betham (1908) report that females are larger, with
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