South American Tapir
ExploreMammals
South American Tapir
tapirus terrestris
The South American Tapir, also known as the lowland tapir, is the largest native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon. Looking like a blend of a wild boar and an elephant, this gentle giant is a vital cornerstone of its ecosystem. Tapirs are exceptional swimmers, often retreating to rivers and lakes to escape predators, cool off, or forage for aquatic vegetation. Known affectionately as the 'gardeners of the forest,' they play a critical ecological role by eating vast quantities of fruit and dispersing seeds across large distances, which helps maintain the health and diversity of their tropical habitats.
Habitat: Found in tropical rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands of South America, always near water sources like rivers and swamps.
Appearance
This heavy-bodied mammal features a dark brown to reddish-brown coat, a short, bristly crest running from the crown of its head down its neck, and a highly distinctive prehensile snout. Adults stand about 77 to 108 centimeters tall at the shoulder, with compact tails and large, rounded ears rimmed with white fur. While adults are solid-colored, their calves are born with a striking pattern of white spots and stripes that provides excellent camouflage against the dappled forest floor.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderPerissodactylaFamilyTapiridaeGenusTapirus
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby tapirs look like fuzzy watermelons, covered in stripes and spots that fade entirely by the time they reach six months of age.
Lowland tapirs are known to jump into deep water to seek relief from irritating skin parasites, allowing small fish to pick them clean.
Their closest living relatives are not pigs or elephants, but rather horses, zebras, and rhinoceroses, which share their odd-toed ungulate lineage.
Special abilities
Ability
Prehensile Snout
Its flexible, elongated nose and upper lip function like a mini-trunk to grab leaves, pull down branches, and pluck fruits.
Ability
Subaquatic Snorkel
An excellent swimmer, the tapir can walk along riverbeds and submerge itself entirely, using its snout as a snorkel to breathe.
Ability
Thick Protective Hide
Possesses incredibly thick skin around its neck and shoulders, helping to shield it from thorny underbrush and predator attacks.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 180+ cm
- Weight
- 150+ kg
- Lifespan
- 25+ years
- Top Speed
- 40 km/h
- Clutch Size
- 1+
- Incubation
- 390+ days
Diet & Feeding
The tapir is a browser that feeds on leaves, shoots, buds, twigs, and fruits, actively foraging throughout the understory and in water bodies.
Age differences: Calves nurse on milk for the first few months, gradually introducing soft forest leaves and fruits into their diet.
Primary Foods
- Fallen forest fruits
- Tree leaves
- Twigs and bark
- Aquatic vegetation
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Jaguar
Panthera onca
Jaguars are the apex predators of South American forests and are one of the few natural predators strong enough to hunt adult tapirs.
mutualism
Moriche Palm
Mauritia flexuosa
Tapirs feed extensively on the nutrient-rich fruits of the Moriche Palm and disperse the seeds intact across the landscape.
competitor
Capybara
Hydrochoerus hydrochaeris
In shared wetland habitats, capybaras and tapirs occasionally compete for access to succulent semi-aquatic grasses.
Traits
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Also known as
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Collections
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Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
No special safety notes yet.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify South American Tapir?
The easiest way to identify South American Tapir is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How long is South American Tapir?
180+ cm
How much does South American Tapir weigh?
150+ kg
How long does South American Tapir live?
25+ years
How fast can South American Tapir move?
40 km/h
What does South American Tapir eat?
The tapir is a browser that feeds on leaves, shoots, buds, twigs, and fruits, actively foraging throughout the understory and in water bodies.
Where is South American Tapir usually found?
Found in tropical rainforests, grasslands, and wetlands of South America, always near water sources like rivers and swamps.
How does South American Tapir hunt?
Foraging
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