Mammals
Takin
Budorcas taxicolor · also called cattle chamois, gnu goat
Warming frigid mountain air through a large, arched nose before it ever reaches the lungs, a takin carries a bulk unusual among goat-antelope, its golden coat and official status as Bhutan’s national animal making it one of the most distinctive mammals of the Eastern Himalayas.
Overview
The takin, Budorcas taxicolor, is a large, bulky goat-antelope native to forested mountain habitat across the Eastern Himalayas. Its unusually cattle-like build, warming nasal structure, and cultural status as Bhutan’s national animal make it one of the most physically and culturally distinctive mountain mammals found anywhere in Asia.
An animal that looks assembled from parts
Local legend in Bhutan holds that the takin’s unusual proportions, a bulky cattle-like body atop goat-like legs, come from parts of other animals combined into one, a story that captures just how physically unusual this species appears at first glance.
Status
Vulnerable, with populations declining across the Eastern Himalayas due to habitat loss and hunting pressure despite legal protection.
Takin: common questions
Why is the takin important to Bhutan?
This species holds official status as the national animal of Bhutan, a designation tied to a local legend explaining its unusual appearance, which some describe as looking assembled from parts of other animals.
Why does the takin have such a large nose?
This species has a large, arched, Roman-shaped nose that helps warm frigid mountain air before it reaches the lungs, a functional adaptation similar to the oversized snout of a moose.
Is the takin more closely related to goats or cattle?
Despite its bulky, cattle-like build, this species is genetically part of the goat-antelope group within the bovid family, more closely related to goats and sheep than to true cattle.
Do female takin have horns?
Yes, this species has short, ridged horns present on both males and females, curving outward before sweeping backward near the tips.