Takin: an unusual highland animal and its golden fleece (14 photos + 1 video)

Some researchers believe that the famous Golden Fleece from ancient Greek myths appeared precisely thanks to this animal.





Rare, amazing, unlike others - this is takin. More precisely, it combines the features of several animals at once - goat, buffalo, musk ox and bison. Even the features of an elk and a bear (a similar tail) are present in the appearance of a resident of the mountains of northeast India, Tibet, Nepal and some Chinese provinces. At the withers, these giants reach a meter with a body length of 120-150 centimeters and a weight reaching 300 kg.



There are four species of these artiodactyls: Sichuan (takin-mishmi), Burmese (nominate subspecies), golden and Bhutanese. Takins settle where bamboo grows in abundance. Its leaves are the basis of the diet of ungulates.

Takins use a special warning system when there is a security threat. The giants lie on the ground, almost merging with the terrain, and carefully listen to the vibrations. If the premonition is confirmed, then the bull roars and gives a signal to its brothers: attention, guys, we need to get together and react.





Circumstances forced the takins to climb high into the mountains. More precisely, the desire to survive. And this is mainly due to human action. The representative of the bovid family is listed in the International Red Book as a vulnerable species. Apparently, the myth of the Golden Fleece has prerequisites, since people are still chasing thick golden wool - a real treasure that helps to survive in difficult conditions.

The animals try to stay in groups, in herds, but at the same time they respect everyone’s personal space, trying not to jostle with each other and let each other graze in peace.



Despite the impressive size of adults, babies are born very weak and vulnerable. The mother does not leave them for several days. But when the takins begin to stand more or less steadily on their feet, the female loses interest in the offspring and hands him over to be raised... by a full-time nanny. There is a position in the herd: one of the females looks after all the young and does it very competently. What guides her choice – experience, desire or love for the younger generation – is unknown.



In the summer, takins live in small groups, and when winter comes, they gather in large herds to make it easier to survive the cold and protect themselves from hungry predators. The main enemies in nature are snow leopards, jaguars, white-breasted bears and Himalayan wolves.



Old males prefer to lead a solitary lifestyle. There is some kind of wisdom of nature in this. Firstly, it is already difficult for them to follow the herd. But from afar, they continue to keep an eye on their former family. Secondly, the patriarchs, apparently, are so wise that they understand and accept the decline of life, and in case of danger - attacks by predators or the arrival of people, they will prefer to divert their attention to themselves and even give their lives to save their descendants.