tapir

Any of the odd-toed hoofed mammals (perissodactyls) of the single genus Tapirus, now constituting the family Tapiridae. There are four species living in the American and Malaysian tropics. They reach 1 m/3 ft at the shoulder and weigh up to 350 kg/770 lb. Their survival is in danger because of destruction of the forests.

Tapirs have thick, hairy, black skin, short tails, and short trunks. They are vegetarian, harmless, and shy. They are related to the rhinoceros, and slightly more distantly to the horse.

The Malaysian tapir T. indicus is black with a large white patch on the back and hindquarters. The three South American species are dark to reddish brown; the Brazilian tapir T. terrestris is the most widespread. Baird's tapir T. bairdii is rare and found only in Central America.

The mountain tapir T. pinchaque is the rarest tapir (fewer than 2,500 remaining), and is found only in the northern Andes. It weighs 150–200 kg/330–440 lb and is about 80 cm/32 in tall. It is mainly solitary except when breeding. The gestation period is 13 months and the single young remains with the mother for 18 months. Mountain tapirs are strong swimmers.