Kingdom : Animalia Class : Mammalia Family : Tapiridae Scientific Name : Tapirus Size : 100 - 150cm (39 - 59in) Weight : 150 - 300kg (330 - 700lbs) Top Speed : 48km/h (30mph) Life Span : 20 - 25 years Colour : White, Black, Brown, Grey Skin Type : Hair Special Features : Long, flexible snout and hump on the shoulders
- Tapirs look strange, appearing to be a combination of pigs, rhinos, horses and elephants!
- They are ancient mammals who have hardly changed for millions of years.
- They have a short and stocky body which is tapering and tear shaped.
- Tapirs have 4 feet with 4 toes on each front feet and 3 toes on each back feet.
- Tapirs are found in the forests of South-East Asia, and also in the Andes.
- There are different types of Tapirs such as the Brazilian Tapir, Baird’s, Malayan etc.
- Tapirs are herbivores, mainly eating vegetation such as leaves, fruits, shoots, twigs and berries.
- Tapirs use their short, flexible trunk to grab leaves from trees and bushes.
- They are excellent swimmers and use their trunk as a snorkel to breathe underwater.
- Tapirs are shy animals and usually keep to themselves except during mating season.
- Gestation period of Tapirs is more than a year.
- They give birth to only one baby at a time.
- Tapirs are endangered due to loss of habitats due to encroachments and also hunting.
- Their predators are crocodiles and big cats but they can defend itself very well.
- Tapirs aid in afforestation thanks to the seeds in their faeces.
- They don’t attack humans – unless threatened – since they usually avoid contact and hide.