Tapirs
Tapirs
Tapiridae
The Elusive Forest Browsers: Tapirs (Tapiridae) are large, herbivorous mammals found in the tropical forests and grasslands of Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia. Known for their distinctive, flexible snouts, tapirs are often described as looking like a mix between a pig and an elephant, although they are actually most closely related to rhinos and horses. There are four living species of tapirs: the Brazilian or Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the Mountain Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), Baird’s Tapir (Tapirus bairdii), and the Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus), the only species found outside the Americas. Tapirs are large animals, ranging from 1.8 to 2.5 meters (6 to 8 ft) in length, with a weight between 150 and 300 kilograms (330 to 660 lb). The Malayan Tapir is easily recognizable by its striking black-and-white coloration, while other species have brown or grayish coats. Tapirs are primarily solitary and very shy, usually active during twilight or nighttime. They use their prehensile snouts to grab leaves, fruits, and twigs, browsing quietly through dense vegetation. Excellent swimmers, they often stay near rivers or swamps, using water as an escape route from predators. Despite their size, tapirs face many threats. Habitat destruction, hunting, and fragmentation of forests have led to all four species being classified as vulnerable or endangered by the IUCN. Their low reproductive rate—females give birth to a single calf after a long gestation—makes population recovery slow. Tapirs play a vital role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds from the fruits they eat, helping maintain forest biodiversity.