Takin

The takin, Budorcas taxicolor, is a large ungulate of the subfamily Caprinae found in the eastern Himalayas. It includes three subspecies, the Mishmi takin, the golden takin and the Bhutan takin, and is closely related to the Tibetan or Sichuan takin. Although it was once placed with the muskox in the tribe Ovibovini, mitochondrial research shows a closer relationship to Ovis, the sheep, so its resemblance to the muskox is convergent evolution. It has a stocky body, a deep chest, a long arched nose and stout horns in both sexes, and a long shaggy light coat with a dark stripe along the back. It is among the largest and stockiest of the Caprinae. The takin is the national animal of Bhutan. It is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and threatened by overhunting and habitat destruction.