Tapirs: Odd-Toed Jungle Herbivores

Tapirs are large mammals with a short, flexible nose trunk.

Tapirs live in dense forests in South and Central America.

Tapirs belong to the odd-toed ungulates family Tapiridae.

Most tapirs measure about 2 meters long and stand 1 meter.

Adult tapirs weigh between 150 and 300 kilograms each.

Coats vary from reddish brown to grey and almost black.

The Malayan tapir has a white saddle-shaped marking.

Tapirs have four front toes and three toes on their hind feet.

The flexible proboscis helps tapirs to grab out-of-reach leaves.

Tapirs eat fruit, berries, and young leaves, mostly at night.

Tapirs swim, wallow in mud, and submerge to cool off.

Tapirs use strong smell and sensitive ears to help poor vision.

Tapirs evolved from tapiroids in the Eocene and spread widely.