The Online Library of Knowledge

Mammals

You are here: Life > Mammals > Tapirs

Read Aloud and Word Lookup functions are available for subscribers

Tapirs

Baird's tapir, Central America and Colombia, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) longBaird's tapirBaird's tapir, Central America and Colombia, up to 2 m (6.6 ft) long Tapirs are bulky mammals with trunk-like snouts that live in the rainforests of Central and South America and Southeast Asia. They are odd-toed ungulates, the group of plant-eating mammals that includes horses and rhinoceroses. There are five species: the Brazilian, Malayan, Baird's, kabomani and mountain tapir. Tapirs average about 2 metres (6.6 feet) in length and 1 metre (3 feet) in height. Their hooves are splayed (split and spread out), which helps them to walk on the soft rainforest floor. They have thick skin on the backs of their necks to protect them from predators such as jaguars and crocodiles.

Brazilian tapirs, averaging around 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, are found over a large area of South America, stretching from Venezuela in the north to Argentina and Paraguay in the south. Excellent swimmers, they spend much of their time in water. They are prey for crocodiles, jaguars, cougars and anacondas.Brazilian tapir in the Pantanal wetlandsBrazilian tapirs, averaging around 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, are found over a large area of South America, stretching from Venezuela in the north to Argentina and Paraguay in the south. Excellent swimmers, they spend much of their time in water. They are prey for crocodiles, jaguars, cougars and anacondas.

The mountain tapir lives high up in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains. It has a dark, woolly coat, which keeps it warm when the temperature drops below freezing, and white lips. Some mountain tapirs have been found living as high as 4300 m (14,000 ft) above sea level.Mountain tapir feedingThe mountain tapir lives high up in the cloud forests of the Andes Mountains. It has a dark, woolly coat, which keeps it warm when the temperature drops below freezing, and white lips. Some mountain tapirs have been found living as high as 4300 m (14,000 ft) above sea level.

Lifestyle

Excellent swimmers, tapirs spend a lot of time in the water. They wallow in rainforest rivers and streams to cool off or dive feed on water plants. Their trunk-like snouts—extensions of the nose and upper lip—are perfect for gripping and plucking leaves or fruit from branches. They are mainly active at night, emerging to feed around dusk. Tapirs are solitary creatures; they usually travel alone through the rainforest along well-worn paths they have themselves created.

back to top

Let's Explore

Q-files now has new sections specially written for younger readers. They are: Living world, Earth, Science, Human body, Prehistoric life, Space, History, Geography and Technology.

go to LET'S EXPLORE

Q-files.com is certified by the kidSAFE Seal Program.

Mammals

CITE

Tapirs

Lifestyle

About 2 m (6.6 ft) in length, the Baird’s tapir is the largest land mammal of Central and South America.