Tapirus terrestris - Brazilian Tapir
Physical Description:
Brazilian tapirs are large terrestrial
mammals. Tapirs have short, robust bodies and are about the size of a
pony. Adult tapirs are around 84-110 cm (19-45 in.) at their shoulder
and from 227-363 kg (500-800 lbs.). In adult tapirs the body, head, and
legs are a uniform blackish-brown color and the belly region is a
lighter color. Young tapirs are dark with bright yellow or white
longitudinal stripes alternating with lines of spots and a white belly.
The skin of the tapir is grey and they are partially covered in a
short, smooth hair. They also have a short, stiff mane of longer,
darker hair that runs in a narrow stripe from the forehead to the
shoulder. The distinctive nose and upper lip of the tapir form a
trunk-like proboscis with transverse nostrils located at the tip. The
eyes of the tapir are small and flush with the sides of the head. They
have ears that are oval, erect, and not very mobile. The tips of the
ears are also white. The tail of the tapir is just a short stump. The
hind feet of the tapir have three toes and the forefeet have four toes.
The Brazilian tapir has brachy-lophodont cheek teeth for grinding
leaves. The typical dental formula for them is I3/3, C1/1, P4/3, M3/3 =
42 (Emmons, 1997).
Distribution:
Brazilian tapirs are found in South America, east of the
Andes Mountains from northern Columbia to southern Brazil and northern
Argentina to Paraguay. They are found up to at least 2,200 meters in
elevation (Emmons, 1997). Tapirs are found all through Paraguay.
Ontogeny and
Reproduction:
The Brazilian tapir like most ungulates is herbivorous.
They eat mostly water plants, leaves, buds, twigs, and fruits. The
tapir has a simple digestive tract with an enlarged cecum where
microorganisms live and digest the cellulose from the plants (Emmons,
1997). Since plants are not an extremely efficient source of energy the
tapir needs to spend most of its day foraging for leaves in order to
obtain adequate energy.
Tapirs are mostly nocturnal but they are partly diurnal.
They travel to watering areas to feed in the morning and evening.
During the day they rest in thick vegetation, wade in the water, or
wallow in the mud. Wallowing helps to rid themselves of parasites and
pests (World Book, 1972).
Tapirs are solitary, wary creatures; although, many tapirs
live in the same area. They are shy and silent and are rarely seen in
the wild. They are good runners, hill-climbers, sliders, waders,
divers, and swimmers. When swimming they occasionally dive to the
bottom to root and dig for water plants.
Tapirs are generally silent but they do communicate with a
loud whistle. They will also grunt or stamp their feet when they are
alarmed. Usually when tapirs are alarmed they will run to the nearest
water, dive in, and sink below the surface. If they have to tapirs will
defend themselves by biting in a swine-like fashion (Anderson &
Jones, 1967). The senses of hearing and smell are highly developed in
tapirs. Their enemies include jaguars, pumas, and humans.
Ecology and Behavior:
Brazilian tapirs are found in rainforests,
gallery forests, dry forests, the Chaco, and open grassy habitats with
water and dense vegetation for refuge. They favor water-side habitats
like swamps, river edges, and lush stream bottoms (Emmons,
1997).
Mating takes place anytime of the year but is most common
right before the rainy season. Gestation period is about 390 days but
varies from 392-405 days (Anderson & Jones, 1967). Females most
often give birth to one offspring every second year. They will rarely
give birth to two offspring. The young tapirs are born with a dark coat
patterned with yellow and white stripes and spots. This coloration
makes the calves hard to see in leafy shadows. The calves keep this
coloration for about six months. Calves stay with their mothers for six
to eight months before living on their own. The average lifespan of
the Brazilian tapir is about 25 years in captivity (National Geographic
Book of Mammals, 1981).
Remarks:
The Brazilian tapir is the only extant native New World odd-toed ungulate (Emmons, 1997). The tapir is locally common,
but it is scarce in over-hunted regions. The meat of the tapir is
prized and they are easy to locate with dogs or calls and are vulnerable
to local extinction. As of 1983 the IUCN classifies Tapirus terrestris
as an endangered species (Nowak & Paradiso, 1983).
Literature Cited:
Anderson, Sydney and J. Knox-Jones Jr. Recent Mammals
of the World: A synopsis of families. The Ronald Press Company. New
York. 1967. pp. 377-379.
Emmons, Louise H. Neotropical Rainforest Mammals: A Field Guide. Second
Edition. The University of Chicago Press, Chicago. 1997. pp.173-174.
Nowak, Ronald M. and John L. Paradiso. Walker’s Mammals of the World
Fourth Edition. The John’s Hopkins University Press. Baltimore. 1983.
Vol. 2, pp.1163-1165.
The World Book Encyclopedia. Field Enterprises Educational Corporation. Chicago. 1972. Vol.19. pp. 30-31
Reference written by Cori Ankenbrandt, Biology 378 (Mammalogy),
University of Wisconsin – Stevens Point. Edited by Christopher Yahnke.
Page last updated August 15, 2005
Skip to main content
