[4] In 1831, Brian Houghton Hodgson first described a goat-like animal with short annulated horns occurring in montane regions between the Sutlej and Teesta Rivers under the name "Bubaline Antelope".

[8] The mainland serow possesses guard hairs on its coat that are bristly or coarse and cover the layer of fur closest to its skin to varying degrees.

The horns are only characteristic of the males and are light-colored, approximately six inches in length, and curve slightly towards the animal's back.

The mainland serow, both male and female, is around three feet high at the shoulder, and typically weighs around 200 lb (91 kg).

[9][10] The mainland serow occurs in central and southern China, India, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and in the Indonesian island of Sumatra.