Although qinling takins are less famous than the world-class celebrity status owned by giant pandas, they share the same importance. Qinling takins, along with snub-nosed monkeys, crested ibis, and giant pandas, are one of the four national treasures of China.

Qinling takin is one of the four subspecies of takin, which is under first-class protection in China. It mainly lives in the country's northwest Shaanxi Province. Although takins show great resemblance to the musk ox, their DNA actually places them closer to goat family.

They can be found at a variety of altitude ranging from 1,000 to 4,500 meters. Takins feed on various leaves and grass, bamboo shoots and flowers, early mornings and late afternoons are their favorite time to graze. 

Adult takins can grow up to 160 to 220 centimeters in head-and-body length and 97 to 140 centimeters tall. These slow moving big creatures react swiftly when startled or angered regardless of their seemingly clumsy look. Most of the takins live in herds, each band has a guard which gives the group a cough alarm when disturbed. Some older males, however, are solitary, they don't join the groups until mating season, which starts in July and lasts until August.

(Cover via VCG Photo)