Takin (Budorcas spp.) Fact Sheet: Physical Characteristics

Body measurements — species combined

General

•  A stocky, large-bodied, cow-like ungulate with eyes high on the large head near crescent-shaped horns; nasal area is broad and naked, shoulders higher than hips, limbs strong and stout. (Neas & Hoffmann 1987)

Pelage

• Long and shaggy
• Color varies by species from whitish yellow to golden yellow to red-brown
  • Sichuan takin - straw-colored with gray patches on legs, back and rump
  • Golden takin - yellowish with black muzzle
• Strong smelling oily substance over all hair smells like butyric acid or a goat. (Walther 1990)
• Mane-like fringe on side of body (not along spine) and under throat
• Juveniles (1-4.5 years for females, 1-5.5 years for males) have a dark dorsal stripe running down spine

• Males larger than females in most reports (Walther 1990)
• Face dark in bulls; only nose dark in cows and calves
• Females usually more darkly pigmented than males (Neas & Hoffmann 1987)
• Female horns less massive (Zeng et al 2002)
• Male golden takin (B. t. bedfordi) has golden neck and fore-chest hairs
  • Females body hairs are white or off-white

(Neas & Hoffmann 1987)

• Four teats with two nipples
• Vision better to the side than forward and binocular
• Horns, hooves, naked areas of nostrils - shiny black
• Ears short, narrow and pointed
• Tail short, triangular, naked on underside
• Dew claws strong (help negotiate rough terrain) (Walther 1990)
• Both sexes have horns
  • A knob grows near the base, then curves "up, out, and finally back"(Schaller 1986)
  • Horns striated lengthwise with cross-cutting ridges.

Native to the Sichuan Province in China, takins are excellent climbers due to their unique split hooves, an adaption that helps them move around easily in a rocky habitat.

Takin calf Linshuh practices his climbing skills at the San Diego Zoo.

Image credit: © San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance. All rights reserved.

Neas & Hoffmann (1987)
Walther (1990)