Microbes in the rumen help digest very small particles of food. Like cows and sheep, takins are ruminants and pass food into the first stomach, the rumen, when they first swallow it. If the tastiest leaves are out of reach, takins have been known to use their powerful bodies to push over small trees to bring those leaves closer! They can easily stand on their hind legs, front legs propped against a tree, to reach for higher vegetation if they need to. This includes the tough leaves of evergreen rhododendrons and oaks, willow and pine bark, bamboo leaves, and a variety of new-growth leaves and herbs. When it comes to food, takins munch on almost any vegetation within reach. Takins eat many kinds of alpine and deciduous plants and evergreens. 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. ![]() As they move up, down, or across the mountains, takins use the same routes over and over. As cooler weather approaches and food becomes scarce, the takins move down to forested valleys. Both males and females have shiny black, crescent-shaped horns that grow from the center of their massive head and can reach up to 35 inches (90 centimeters) in length.Įach spring, takins gather in large herds and migrate up the mountains to the tree line, an altitude above 14,000 feet (4,300 meters). They also have an odor that smells like a strange combination of horse and musk. Streaks of this oily stuff can be seen where takins rub up against the sides of their habitats at the San Diego Zoo! Split hooves help takins move around easily in their rocky habitat. Although takins have no skin glands, their skin secretes an oily, bitter-tasting substance that acts as a natural raincoat in storms and fog. Yet another protection is their oily skin. Without this adaptation, takins would lose a large amount of body heat just by breathing. They also have a very noteworthy nose! The large, moose-like snout has big sinus cavities to warm up the air inhaled before it gets to the lungs. A thick, secondary coat is grown to keep out the chill, which they shed for the summer. ![]() ![]() Takins have some neat adaptations that help them stay warm and dry during the bitter cold of winter in the rugged Himalayan Mountains. They look a bit silly as they do this, with their mouths open and tongues sticking out, but don't be fooled: wildlife care specialists know that their space should be respected, and never enter the habitats with the takins. Takins can also make an intimidating roar or bellow. If they sense danger, takins warn others with a loud "cough" that sends the herd running for cover in the dense underbrush, where they lie down to avoid being seen. When needed, takins can leap nimbly from rock to rock. ![]() They are generally slow moving but can react quickly if angered or frightened. But the takin is most closely related to sheep and to the goat-like aoudad, or Barbary sheep, of North Africa.īecause of their large, powerful bodies and impressive horns, takins have few natural enemies other than bears, wolves, leopards, and dholes. Seuss! This large, muscular, hoofed mammal is sometimes referred to as a goat antelope, because it has things in common with both goats and antelope. Talkin' about takins: With horns like a wildebeest, a nose like a moose, a tail like a bear, and a body like a bison, the takin (rhymes with rockin') looks like a character from Dr.
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