Hi, Mishim takin would be more darker at its lower body and legs, such as this photo taken in Nujiang, west Yunnan.
In China the Mishim takin can be only found in Gaoligong Mountain Region of Yunnan and southeast Tibet, and no zoos in China have this subspecies.
The Sichuan takin can indeed sometimes be largely dark, but not black.
Hi, Mishim takin would be more darker at its lower body and legs, such as this photo taken in Nujiang, west Yunnan.
In China the Mishim takin can be only found in Gaoligong Mountain Region of Yunnan and southeast Tibet, and no zoos in China have this subspecies.
The Sichuan takin can indeed sometimes be largely dark, but not black.
Why Sichuan takins of the same subspecies could be in so different colors in the same season?
According to wikipedia:
Several zoos and wildlife parks keep Mishmi takins in captivity, notably Beijing Zoo (China), Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Tallinn Zoo (Estonia), Helsinki Zoo (Finland), Marwell Wildlife, Paignton Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park (all UK), Metro Richmond Zoo and Denver Zoological Gardens (both USA), and Nyíregyháza Zoo (Hungary).
Why Sichuan takins of the same subspecies could be in so different colors in the same season?
According to wikipedia:
Several zoos and wildlife parks keep Mishmi takins in captivity, notably Beijing Zoo (China), Tierpark Berlin (Germany), Tallinn Zoo (Estonia), Helsinki Zoo (Finland), Marwell Wildlife, Paignton Zoo and the Highland Wildlife Park (all UK), Metro Richmond Zoo and Denver Zoological Gardens (both USA), and Nyíregyháza Zoo (Hungary).
I have never seen Mishim takins in Beijing Zoo...... And according to a book published by Beijing Zoo themselves (during my childhood...), their takins' origins include Sichuan, Shannxi and Gansu, but neither Yunnan nor Tibet. And I don't know there are any takins be caught into zoos in Yunnan or Tibet.
The Sichuan takins can indeed become dark brown in some individuals, in fact most takin calves are dark brown when they are born, thus may be some dark colored individuals are just remain in their young color morph? It is just my guess.
