Fun Bhutan Takin Facts For Kids

The Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor white) is a type of takin that is large in size and is sometimes called a goat antelope. They come from the Bovidae family and are of the Budorcas genus. Including the Bhutan takin, there are four subspecies of takin namely the golden takin, Mishmi takin, and the Sichuan takin. Due to its unique and distinct features, the Bhutan takin has been adopted as the national animal of the country Bhutan. The Bhutanese people believe that it's a mix between a cow and a goat. The range of these species is quite common across Bhutan. They are also found in small numbers in a few parts of the north-eastern and eastern Himalayas of India and in the Sichuan province of China. Recently, they've been found to live in some regions in Tibet and Myanmar. These big, hoofed animals are believed to live in their natural habitat of grasslands, deciduous lands, and especially bamboo forests. They have a herbivorous diet, mainly feeding on deciduous plants, leaves, and bamboo shoots. For food and salt licks, it often travels long distances. These large hoofed animals can go on their hind legs to reach leaves and plants that are slightly out of their reach. The Bhutan takin is seen to have a shaggy coat. You might be surprised to learn that this coat is thick and similar to the one seen on a yak. It is believed that they grow a second coat to keep warm in the winter and then shed it off before summer begins. During the rainy season, this coat acts as a raincoat. The coat has a dark stripe along the back and males tend to have a darker head than females. Apart from its large body, the head also has a pair of horns that are hard and sharp. This makes it possible to take on bigger animals like bears, mountain wolves, and even leopards. They usually move in large herds of about 20 individuals. However, the older males of this species are known to lead a more solitary life. In general, takins are diurnal, meaning that they will be active throughout the day and inactive or resting at night. There is very little known about the mating styles among takins but it is believed that one male will mate with several females. They have also been heard to give out loud vocalizations during their mating rituals. Females and the young have their own vocalizations which are loud. Most of these animals have been shifted to sanctuaries and wildlife reserves where they are being cared for by experts in nature.

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What type of animal is a Bhutan Takin?

This national animal of Bhutan can be referred to as a mix between a goat, an antelope, and a cow. They, in fact, come from the same family as goats and other cattle. There are four types of takin subspecies named the Sichuan takin, the golden takin, the mishmi takin, and the Bhutan takin.

What class of animal does a Bhutan Takin belong to?

The Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) belongs to the class of mammals and comes from the Bovidae family. Being mammals, they have or hair or fur. They are also warm-blooded animals.

How many Bhutan Takin are there in the world?

The exact number of Bhutan takins in the world is currently not known but given their conservation status, which is Vulnerable, as listed by the IUCN, their population range is decreasing. The total number of all the takin species in the world is at the moment is 5069 individuals.

Where does a Bhutan Takin live?

The Bhutan takin (Budorcas taxicolor whitei) lives in places like deciduous forests, grasslands, and even bamboo forests. Living in such places gives these takins easier access to food as they're herbivores. Their range occurs across Bhutan predominantly and they also exist in the eastern Himalayas of India, the Sichuan province of China, and in Tibet and Myanmar.

What is a Bhutan Takin's habitat?

The habitat of these takins is found to be largely in grasslands, mainlands, and forests, particularly bamboo forests.

Who do Bhutan Takin live with?

These large hoofed takins tend to live in herds and are gregarious animals. The herd consists of 10 to 15 members. Some amateur naturalists have reported seeing some large herds of takin with up to 50 members. They give out a sort of 'coughing' noise to alert and warn other members of the herd if there is any possible threat or predator nearby.

How long does a Bhutan Takin live?

The number of years that this takin species, which are the national animals of Bhutan, lives for is currently unknown. They'd probably live for a long time, however, these national animals of Bhutan have been facing a declining population trend due to habitat loss and hunting by locals.

How do they reproduce?

Males and females usually get together for the mating season towards the end of summer. Female takins go down to the foothills and the bottom of mountain slopes to give birth to their young during the calving period. Generally, they give birth to one calf or at times, two. The gestation period lasts for a period of 200 to 220 days. Mothers give birth to their calves and they come out feet first instead of head first. The young weigh about 11-15 lb (5-6.8 kg). The calf then stands and nurses from the mother just 30 minutes after it is born. An interesting feature of the calf is that when it gets lost, it will give out a call that is very similar to that of a lion cub to draw the attention of its mother.

What is their conservation status?

 These takins have been listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. The reasons behind their decreasing population trend are hunting by humans, predators, and habitat loss.

What does Bhutan Takin look like?

This takin, which is the national animal of Bhutan, has four species (including them) which are the golden takin, Mishmi takin, Sichuan takin, and the Bhutan takin. They have noses like that of a moose, a bison-like body, feet like a bullock, and a tail like a bear. The head and skin of this animal are very similar to that of a goat. The takin is mostly similar to sheep, like the Barbary sheep found in Africa. Their large powerful bodies help them avoid certain threats like wolves, bears, dholes, and leopards. This, the national animal of Bhutan, is covered with hair or fur which keeps them warm during cold winters and they shed this coat to a thinner one in summer. Occurring in the eastern Himalayas of India, the Sichuan province of China, and parts of Tibet and Myanmar, this animal has horns on its head and these horns are present in both the male and the female.

How cute are they?

This animal cannot be called cute. They appear rather drab-looking. While not exactly cute, they possess certain physical traits that make them unique. They are believed by many locals to be a mix between a cow and a goat.

How do they communicate?

This wildlife animal that often stays in a herd gives out many signals and noises to communicate with other takin members. It is in their nature to do so. They will give out a call that resembles a 'cough' when in a herd if there is danger or a threat nearby. They assert dominance by making a 'whup' call. The mother calls her young to come close to her with a loud pitched noise. If it makes a gurgling sound, this animal wants to take something. They also use their horns to protect themselves and their young. Hence, communication in the form of calls takes place frequently among takins.

How big is a Bhutan Takin?

The Bhutan takin is about 63-87 in ((160–220.9 cm) long and 38-55 in (96.5-139.7 cm) tall. They are two times bigger than a paddlefish and are five times taller than a capybara!

How fast can a Bhutan Takin run?

The exact speed at which this takin species runs is not known. They are probably as fast a sheep or a goat as they all belong to the same family.

How much does a Bhutan Takin weigh?

The body of the Bhutan takin is quite large. They weigh about 397 lb (180 kg). Their weight is equivalent to the weight of a blue whale's heart!

What are their male and female names of the species?

There are no specific male or female names for this species. They are often called the 'Bhutan takin' or scientifically, Budorcas taxicolor white. Some taxonomists also call it a 'goat antelope' or 'gnu goat'.

What would you call a baby Bhutan Takin ?

A baby Bhutan takin is called as a 'calf'!

What do they eat?

These animals have a herbivorous diet. Their food consists of a lot of plants and evergreens. They have the capability to stand on their hind legs to get plants and leaves that are out of their reach. They share similar dietary patterns to goats, sheep, cows, horses, antelopes, deers, and various other types of cattle.

Are they dangerous?

They are not really dangerous as they are often by themselves or in a herd in wild nature or their natural habitat. However, they can be quite dangerous if they or their young are threatened in any way.

Would they make a good pet?

No, these animals are wild animals and so, would not make good pets.

Did you know...

The manner in which these takins sleep is very similar to the way dog sleep. They rest their head on top of their prolonged front feet.

What is Bhutan's national animal? 

The national animal of Bhutan is none other than the takin.

Are Takin endangered? 

The Takin is a Vulnerable species due to reasons such as habitat loss, hunting by locals, and predators. Efforts are being made to conserve their population which is why many individual takins have been shifted to wildlife sanctuaries and conservatories.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more related content, check out these saiga antelope facts and Mexican wolf facts for kids.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable leaf deer coloring pages.

Second image by SwissBeetle.