Does a temperate ungulate that breeds in summer exhibit rut-induced hypophagia? Analysis of time budgets of male takin (Budorcas taxicolor) in Sichuan, China

► Forage reduction is widely observed among temperate ungulates during rutting season when they all mate during autumn or winter. ► Takin are poorly studied temperate ungulate but rut in summer and male takin exhibit hypophagia during mating season, as observed in other large ungulates. ► In this study, we found the “energy saving” hypothesis could explain hypophagia of male takin during the rutting season. ► The unique summer rutting season of takin releases males from the energy constraints encountered by other temperate ungulates.