Lowland Tapir

The Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) is a large, herbivorous mammal native to the rainforests and wetlands of South America. It is easily recognizable by its unique, short, and flexible snout, which is a prehensile appendage used to grasp leaves and fruit.

The Lowland Tapir is a solitary and nocturnal animal. It is an excellent swimmer and often takes to the water to escape predators or cool off. The tapir is often referred to as a "living fossil" as it has changed very little over millions of years. It plays a crucial role in the ecosystem as a seed disperser, helping to regenerate the forest.

Lowland Tapir

Lowland Tapir

Classification

Mammalia > Perissodactyla > Tapiridae > Tapirus > T. terrestris

Native To

Conservation Status

Average Height

2.5 - 3 feet
(0.8 - 0.9 m)

Average Weight

400 - 600 lbs
(180 - 270 kg)

Average Life Span

25 - 30 years

Gestation Period

390 - 400 days

Diet

Herbivore (leaves, fruits, aquatic plants)

Social Structure

Solitary

Did You Know?

The Lowland Tapir is a large, herbivorous mammal native to South America.

They are excellent swimmers and often spend time in water to escape predators and cool down.

The Lowland Tapir has a short, flexible proboscis (snout) which it uses to grab leaves and fruits.

Baby tapirs have distinctive striped and spotted coats, which help camouflage them in the forest.

They play an important role in seed dispersal by eating fruits and spreading seeds through their droppings.

Photo Gallery

No images provided yet. Be the first to upload one!