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.