Golden takin
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Golden takin | |
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A golden takin in the Shanghai Zoo | |
Scientific classification | |
Domain: | Eukaryota |
Kingdom: | Animalia |
Phylum: | Chordata |
Class: | Mammalia |
Order: | Artiodactyla |
Family: | Bovidae |
Subfamily: | Caprinae |
Tribe: | Caprini
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Genus: | Budorcas |
Species: | |
Subspecies: | B. t. bedfordi
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Trinomial name | |
Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi Thomas, 1911
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The golden takin (Budorcas taxicolor bedfordi) is a
Description
Golden takins are identified by their distinctive golden coats and are classified as vulnerable due to habitat loss and poaching. Their thick coats contain oils that help insulate and prevent heat loss.[3]
The
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.[6] The fecal microbiota of golden takins are likely influenced by the seasons and animals' sex, with the highest diversity occurring in spring, coinciding with their migrations.[7]
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 for element exposure. Most levels were within safe ranges, except for arsenic and lead.[8]
Habitat
While
Each spring, golden takins gather in large herds and migrate up the mountains to the tree line, 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. This creates a series of well-worn paths through the dense growths of bamboo and rhododendrons that lead to their natural salt licks and grazing areas.[5]
Herds
Herd sizes change with 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.[4] Herds are made up of adult females (cows), juveniles (kids), subadults, and young males. Older males (bulls) 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 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.[4]
Normally solitary, bull takins meet up with herds for a short time during the
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 is born. Horns begin to grow when the takin kid is about six months old. At birth, takin kids are much darker than adults to give them camouflage from predators; the dark stripe along their back disappears and their coat gets lighter in color, longer, and shaggier as they get older.
References
- ^ Falvey, Christian (2010-01-25). "Endangered Golden Takin born in Liberec Zoo". Radio Prague International. Retrieved 2022-12-23.
- ^ "Takin | Giant Cattle, Himalayan, Bovid | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved 2023-12-06.
- ^ "Golden Takin | Pairi Daiza". www.pairidaiza.eu. Retrieved 2023-09-21.
- ^ S2CID 234672550.
- ^ JSTOR 3503907.
- ISSN 0147-6513.
- PMID 28413853.
- PMID 28505482.
- Kang, D., Li, S., Wang, X., Huang, J., & Li, J. (2018). "Comparative habitat use by takin in the Wanglang and Xiaohegou Nature Reserves". Environmental Science and Pollution Research. 25 (8). doi:10.1007/s11356-017-1133-5.)
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: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link - http://animals.sandiegozoo.org/animals/takin#sthash.PE3GvYAb.dpuf
- Creamy-white golden takins in Qinling