All About Tapir’s: Fun Facts About Tapir’s

All About Tapir’s: Fun Facts About Tapir’s

April 27th of this year is World Tapir Day! You may be wondering what exactly is a Tapir and why do they have a day world wide dedicated to them?

Let’s start with an image of a tapir.

Not a fan of the South American tapir? what about this little fella?

That handsome guy above is an adult, Malayn tapir.

So why do they have an entire day dedicated to them? Besides them being cute, the tapir is an endangered species that can live up to 25 years in the wild. The date of April 27th was set aside to raise awareness of their low numbers due to habitat encroachment, and hunting. All four species of tapir are considered threatened. With the South American tapir being the least endangered. On average there are only 3,000 – 4,500 of a species left in the wild.

The Tapir is a large herbivore that spreads seeds throughout the areas it feeds in. They are found in South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. They inhabit grasslands, swamps, mountainous areas and jungles. According to the IUCN, this loss of habitat from deforestation, forest fires, and large scale industrial projects are contributing factors to the tapir’s decline. Poaching, disease transmission from domestic animals, water pollution, and climate change are also reasons.

Before we begin with some interesting facts, let’s have a look at the different types and where they reside.

Four Types of Tapir

Baird’s Tapir

The Baird’s Tapir is the largest mammal in Central America, named for Fullerton Baird who observed these mammals in Mexico in 1843.

Their tail is stubby, and they have a flexible “proboscis” like most Tapirs. Proboscis is just a fancy name for a nose! The Baird Tapir is the largest of the three American species. They are also the largest mammals in both Central and South America!

The numbers of these herbivores is dwindling due to deforestation and other disruptions to their natural habitat.

Brazilian Tapir

Brazilian Tapir also known as the lowland or South American Tapir, is the least threatened and most widespread of this species. Since 1758 they have been observed and studied. They are found in the Amazon, east of the Andes and down to Argentina and Paraguay.

The hair is darker on the body and they have a short ridge of hair that runs from the crown of their head to the back of their neck. The average weight of the Brazilian Tapir is around 500 pounds. Like their counterparts in other areas, you will find they have four hooves on the front feet and three on the back.

Malayan Tapir

The Malayan Tapir is unique in its coloring. The dark black front and lighter back half, is very distinctive. The Malayan’s are the biggest by far in height and weight, with the female weighing nearly as much as the males.

The numbers of these wonderful mammals has been reduced due to human encroachment and habitat loss.

Mountain Tapir

Finally we have the Mountain Tapir whose fur is dark brown or black. They have the other characteristics of the above three in the long nose and hooved feet. They are the smallest of all the Tapirs, and have heavy fur on their bodies.

Cattle and hunting are causing the numbers of the Mountain Tapir to remain low. Add in the mining and it poses a significant problem for their survival.

13 Fun Facts About Tapir’s 

• All Tapirs can live up to 25 years in the wild,
• With their long nose that can grip the way an elephant does you would think they are related. But that isn’t so, they are closer in relationship to the rhinoceros, donkey, horse, and zebra.
• The word Tapir is formed from the Brazilian word for “thick” referring to the animal’s hide.
• There height is generally below 4’ at the shoulder
• Weight varies but the largest can weigh up to 720 pounds
• They can grab things like leaves with their snout much like an elephant
• Their babies have spots and zebra stripes on their bodies
• They spread seeds throughout their habitat through there poo
• They love the water, they can swim and even walk on the bottom of lakes and rivers
• They are very shy and easily startled
• Momma Tapirs are fierce, they have been know to kill to protect their young
• They have a very thick tough hide that provides them with protection from attacks and the elements
• They whistle, some liken the sound to a car brakes screeching to a halt

Conclusion

In closing, knowing all these facts will hopefully spur you and your family to take note of the plight of these interesting mammals. Most of them are on the vulnerable or endangered list for threatened species!

Take the time to find ways through social media and donations, that you can help in maintaining the habitat and well being of such a delightful and necessary animal in our ecosystem!