About Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862
Capricornis swinhoei Gray, 1862, commonly known as the Formosan serow, is the only native bovid found in Taiwan. Its physical characteristics are as follows: torso length ranges from 80–114 cm (31–45 in), body weight ranges from 25–35 kg (55–77 lb), and it has a short tail measuring approximately 6.5 cm. Its coat is dark tan, with yellow spots on the jaw, throat, and nape. Both males and females have conical, non-shedding horns that curve slightly backward, with a length of 10–20 centimeters. For reproduction, the mating season of this species, also called the Taiwan serow, occurs from September to November. The gestation period lasts around seven months, so calves are born between March and June of the following year. Females usually give birth to a single calf, though twin births occur occasionally. Newborn calves are able to stand on their own within just a few hours. Three-month-old calves can feed independently, but may still nurse from their mother. Males do not participate in caring for calves. Calves gradually separate from their mother and begin living independently between six months and one year of age. They reach sexual maturity at two to three years old, and have a maximum lifespan of approximately 15 years.
