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takin – (Budorcas taxicolor) Takins are wild goats about the size of a cow. The only species of takin is found in high elevation sites in central China. Males are about 2 meters tall and weigh 400 kilograms, females are about half that size. Their golden fur may have been the "golden fleece" searched for by Jason and the Argonauts.
tamaraw – (Bubalus mindorensis) A small (300 kilograms) wild buffalo found only on the Philippine island of Mindoro. Tamaraw live in dense forests with open areas where they graze. Habitat destruction and hunting have reduced their population size. Currently one of the world's rarest animals, there are less than 200 remaining.
tamarin – Small, squirrel-like monkeys of South America. They live in trees, are very social, and mainly eat insects and fruit.
tapir – Although they are mistaken for pigs, tapirs are related to horses and rhinos. Shy, solitary, feeding on plants, tapirs can weigh up to 300 kilograms. Three species are found in Latin America and one species, the largest, is found in Asia.
taxa – (Plural of taxon) In the formal system of scientifically classifying organisms according to their presumed evolutionary relationships, taxa are the various groups of organisms.
taxonomy – Refers to the system that classifies all worldwide species including plants, animals and microorganisms.
teak – Tectona grandis (Family: Verbanaceae) A valuable timber species originally found in India and Southeast Asia that is used for fine furniture, flooring and boat-building.
thrush – (Family: Turdidae) Medium-sized (about 20 centimeters long) songbirds, found worldwide. Thrushes are usually brown with speckles of other colors.
tinamou – (Family: Tinamidae) Medium-sized, dumpy birds, which spend most of their time on the ground, preferring to run rather than fly. They live in many habitats, feeding on fruit and seeds. The 46 species are all found in Latin America.
topography – The configuation of the surface of land, including the position of natural objects.
toxic – Containing or being poisonous material.
tuataras – The two lizard-like tuatara species (Sphenodon punctatus and Sphenodon guntheri) are found only on about 30 small islands off the coast of New Zealand. They are up to 60 centimeters long with a crest on their back. They have a pineal eye (an eye with a lens and retina on the top of their head that is linked by nerves to the brain), the function of which is uncertain.
tur – (Capra caucasica) A 150 centimeter tall, 75 kilogram goat-like animal found in high elevation sites in the Caucasus Mountains. They have large scimitar-shaped and heavily ridged horns that can average 75 centimeters in length.