Animal Profiles
Mammals

Tapir

Tapiridae

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

Tapirs are large browsing mammals with short flexible snouts. This account describes the South American or lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), a forest animal closely associated with water.

Tapirus terrestris (tapir)

Representative species: Tapirus terrestris.

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Habitat
Rainforest, Wetlands
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Fruit, leaves and other vegetation.

Classification

Common name
Tapir
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Tapiridae
Taxon rank
family
Order
Perissodactyla
Family
Tapiridae
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Three things to know

  • Its flexible snout helps gather vegetation.
  • Young tapirs have striped and spotted coats.
  • It is a capable swimmer.

Habitat and range

Lowland tapirs occur through much of tropical South America east of the Andes. Forests and swamps near rivers provide vegetation, shelter and access to water.

Appearance and adaptations

Adults have a heavy brown body, small rounded ears and a short mane. The nose and upper lip form a mobile snout. Young animals have pale stripes and spots.

Diet and behaviour

Fruit, leaves and other vegetation are browsed mainly in the evening or at night. Tapirs are capable swimmers and often use water. Most adults are solitary apart from mothers with young and temporary breeding associations.

Sources

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