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• The tapir is an endangered mammal related to the horse and rhinoceros.National Geographic: Tapir There are four species of tapir: three in South America and one in Asia.Animal Diversity Web: Tapirs

• Fast Facts

  1. Habitat: Rainforests, deciduous forests, mountain forestsAnimal Diversity Web: Tapirs
  2. Diet: HerbivorousNational Geographic: Tapir
  3. Size: 29 to 42 inches, (height at shoulder)National Geographic: Tapir
  4. Weight: 500 to 800 lbsNational Geographic: Tapir
  5. Life span: 25 to 30 years in the wild (average)National Geographic: Tapir
  6. Gestation period: 13 to 14 monthsSan Diego Zoo: Tapir
  7. Babies weigh 15-25 lbs at birthThe Tapir Gallery: What Has 14 Hooves, a Rubbery Snout and Walks Under Water?
  8. Endangered: YesNational Geographic: Tapir
  9. Predators: Humans, bears, crocodiles, anacondas, tigersCaribbean Critters: The Tapir
  10. Seeks water when frightenedThe Tapir Gallery: What Has 14 Hooves, a Rubbery Snout and Walks Under Water?

• Physical Description

  A tapir has a round tapered body, short bristly hair, small eyes and oval ears.Animal Diversity Web: Tapirs It has a short trunk, which is actually an extension of its nose and upper lip, that it uses for gripping.National Geographic: Tapir

  Young tapirs are reddish brown with yellow and white spots and stripes. This coloring changes to the adult coat by age five to eight months.SeaWorld.org: Animal Bytes - Tapir Tapirs in South America have dark brown or gray hair, while the Malayan tapir is black with white in the midsection.Animal Diversity Web: Tapirs

• Distribution

  The Baird tapir is native to Mexico and Central America. The Brazilian tapir is found in South America from Brazil north to Paraguay and Columbia. The Mountain tapir is the smallest of the tapirs and is native to the Andes Mountains. The only tapir found in Asia is the Malayan tapir.San Diego Zoo: Tapir

• Behavior

  A tapir is a solitary animal. During the day the tapir shelters in shrubs; it feeds at night.Animal Diversity Web: Tapirs While generally feeding on land, the tapir is an excellent swimmer and sometimes dives to eat aquatic plants.National Geographic: Tapir It will communicate through high pitched whistles and when ready to defend itself, the tapir will snort and stomp its feet. The tapir uses its sense of smell to detect the presence of other tapirs.San Diego Zoo: Tapir

• Related Pages on Mahalo

  Endangered Species | Bears | Crocodiles | Tigers | Rhinoceros | Horse | Brazil | Paraguay | Andes

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