South American Tapir

Tapirus terrestris

Tapirs are excellent swimmers and frequently dive into rivers to escape predators and feed on aquatic plants.

Scientific name

Tapirus terrestris

Taxonomy

Animalia › Chordata › Mammalia › Perissodactyla › Tapiridae › Tapirus

IUCN Red List status

Vulnerable

Population trend

decreasing

Biome

forest

Habitat

Tropical rainforests, river basins, and moist montane forests near water.

Diet

Herbivorous, consuming leaves, twigs, buds, fruits, and aquatic vegetation.

Range

Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, Ecuador, Argentina, Paraguay

Size

Length: 1.8-2.5 meters, Weight: 150-320 kg

Lifespan

25 to 30 years

Active

nocturnal

Threats

Deforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, and agricultural encroachment.

Safe to approach?

Generally shy and harmless, but can become defensive if cornered, startled, or when protecting calves. Maintain a safe distance of at least 15 meters. If you encounter one, stand still and let it pass or back away slowly. In the rare event of a bite or charge, wash any wounds and seek medical attention immediately.

The South American tapir ( Tapirus terrestris ), also commonly called the Brazilian tapir (from the Tupi tapi'ira ), the maned tapir , the lowland tapir , in Portuguese anta , and in mixed Quechua and Spanish sachavaca (literally "bushcow"), is one of the five species in the tapir family, along with the mountain tapir, the Malayan tapir, Baird's tapir, and the little black tapir. The South American tapir is the largest surviving native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon.

Photo: Jens-Christian Svenning, CC-BY, via iNaturalist

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