Tapirs belong to the Tapiridae family, a group of large, herbivorous mammals recognized by their distinctive snouts. These prehensile snouts are akin to a shortened elephant trunk, aiding in foraging for leaves, fruits, and branches. There are four species of tapirs, distributed in Central and South America and Southeast Asia. They inhabit diverse environments, from tropical rainforests to grasslands. Evolutionarily ancient, tapirs have changed little over tens of millions of years, resembling their early ancestors. Despite their resilience across epochs, modern tapirs face significant threats from habitat destruction and hunting, leading to their current status as endangered species.
Tapirs are stocky, barrel-shaped animals with short, sturdy legs and rounded ears. Their most notable feature is their elongated snout, which is flexible and can move in all directions, aiding in grasping vegetation. Tapirs have tough skin, often with a sparse covering of fur, varying in color depending on the species. They are surprisingly agile movers, capable of quick, nimble maneuvers despite their bulky appearance. Tapirs are mostly silent but can produce whistles and squeaks for communication. They have keen senses of smell and hearing, essential for navigating their often dense, forested habitats and detecting predators.
The relationship between humans and tapirs is complex, historically involving hunting and habitat encroachment, which have significantly threatened tapir populations. In some cultures, tapirs are hunted for meat and are subjects of local folklore and mythology, representing various symbolic roles. In pop culture, tapirs are less prominent but occasionally feature in animation and literature, often highlighting their unique appearance and gentle nature.
Conservation efforts are crucial for tapirs, with various organizations working to protect their habitats and implement breeding programs. These endeavors aim to raise awareness and appreciation for these ancient, elusive creatures, ensuring their survival in the wild.
If you thought tapirs might be relatives of pigs, you are wrong. Scientists say their close relatives are rhinos and horses. Their bodies, which resemble that of a pig or wild hogs with anteater snouts, haven’t changed much over the years. Because of this, they are also called ‘living fossils.’
The biggest problem of tapirs is that they have a slow reproduction rate and are sensitive to habitual destruction. This is leading to their slow extinction in their natural habitat of South and Central America and Southeast Asia. Humans are the ones leading this extinction by disturbing the forest ecosystem and poaching them.
Tapirs are active at night. This is the time they eat and take a dip in the lake or pond. During the day, they will sleep in a place with shelter or underwater to avoid predation. However, the smaller mountain tapir found in the Andes behaves differently, as it is most active during the day.
