Baird'S Tapir
ExploreMammals
Baird'S Tapir
tapirus bairdii
Baird's Tapirs are large, gentle animals that love to roam in the rainforests of Central America. They have a unique snout that helps them reach tasty leaves and fruits high up in the trees!
Habitat: Rainforests and wetlands of Central America
Appearance
The Baird's Tapir is a large mammal with a dark brown to grayish-brown body, a white chin and throat, and white-tipped ears. It has a distinctive flexible, prehensile snout, which makes its face unique, resembling a pig with a short trunk.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPerissodactylaFamilyTapiridaeGenusTapirella
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baird's Tapirs are related to rhinos and horses, even though they look more like pigs!
Tapir babies are born with amazing striped and spotted camouflage to hide them in the jungle!
They are like 'living fossils' because tapir ancestors have roamed Earth for millions of years!
They communicate using whistles, snorts, and even a special clicking sound through their powerful snouts!
Special abilities
Ability
Underwater Navigator
Baird's Tapir can swim and dive expertly, using its snout like a snorkel to breathe underwater when escaping danger.
Ability
Snout Power
Baird's Tapir has a flexible, prehensile snout that helps them grasp leaves and branches while foraging in dense forests.
Ability
Armored Skin
Baird's Tapir has incredibly thick skin, especially on its neck and shoulders, that helps them protect against predators and thorny plants.
Ability
Stealthy Sniffer
Baird's Tapir can detect food and predators using its excellent sense of smell, navigating the dense forest even in the dark.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 180-250 cm
- Weight
- 220-300 kg
- Lifespan
- 25-30 years
- Top Speed
- 45 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 390-400 days
Diet & Feeding
This big forest animal loves to munch on many different plants, fruits, and leaves.
Primary Foods
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Fruits
- Seeds
- Aquatic plants
- Berries
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Jaguar
Panthera onca
Main predator of tapirs, especially young ones.
eaten by
Puma
Puma concolor
Another significant predator, particularly of calves.
eats
Cow Fig
Ficus insipida
Tapirs eat its fruits, helping to disperse seeds.
eats
Hog Plum
Spondias mombin
A common fruit eaten by tapirs, aiding seed dispersal.
Traits
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
Central American TapirMountain TapirTapir
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Baird'S Tapir?
180-250 cm
How much does Baird'S Tapir weigh?
220-300 kg
How long does Baird'S Tapir live?
25-30 years
How fast can Baird'S Tapir move?
45 km/h
What does Baird'S Tapir eat?
This big forest animal loves to munch on many different plants, fruits, and leaves.
Where is Baird'S Tapir usually found?
Rainforests and wetlands of Central America
How does Baird'S Tapir hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Baird'S Tapir usually have?
1
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Recent Snaps
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Where to spot
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