Lowland Tapir

Tapirus terrestris

These friendly, strange-looking mammals prefer to live near water, especially rivers, as they are excellent swimmers.

Estatuto de conservação

  • Não avaliado
  • Dados insuficientes
  • LC
    Pouco preocupante
  • NT
    Quase ameaçado
  • VU
    Vulnerável
  • EN
    Em perigo
  • CR
    Criticamente em perigo
  • EW
    Extinto na natureza
  • EX
    Extinto

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    Length
    2m
    Height
    1m
    Weight
    150-250 kg
    Lifespan
    30 to 35 years
    Diet
    Leaves, flowers and fruit
    Habitat
    Savannah and wetlands
    Reproduction
    1 cub

    They have a sagittal prominence that results in a puff on top of the head and a short mane that runs along this prominence. Adults are dark brown while the juveniles have horizontal white stripes, which disappear after 7 months of age. Lowland Tapirs have a pronounced, flexible, prehensile trunk that helps detect smells and moisture.

    Lowland Tapirs are typically solitary. During the day they tend to stay in the shade, resting, and they feed mainly at night. They only come together during mating season or when the mother has young. This species has poor eyesight but a strong sense of smell. Despite being shy animals, they are very aggressive when competing to mate or to defend territories. They are excellent swimmers and use this ability to escape predators.

    These animals graze at night, eating fruit, leaves and other plant material.

    The number of individuals in the wild is unknown, and this species is difficult to find in its natural habitat. The main threats are habitat loss caused by deforestation, hunting for meat, being run over on roads, and competition with domestic livestock.

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