Takins live in central, western, and southwestern China, in Myanmar, and in the Himalaya. They inhabit dense bamboo forests and thickets of rhododendrons on steep, rugged slopes. Takins resemble musk oxen, with stout forelegs, a large head, and a thick neck. A stripe runs along the middle of the back. Both males and females grow horns, but the females' horns are smaller.
Males are heavier than females.
Takins are active mostly at dusk and dawn, but they may be active throughout the day in foggy or cloudy weather. Normally, they spend the daylight hours hidden in dense vegetation. During the warm months, takins feed primarily on young trees, grass, and tender herbs. In winter, they eat mostly the tips of bamboo stems and willow branches. In winter, the herds are smaller and move to valleys at lower elevations.