A relative of the rhinoceros, the Brazilian tapir is one of four species of tapir. Also known as the South American tapir, the maned tapir, and the lowland tapir, the Brazilian tapir lives in the rainforests of South America.
The Brazilian tapir lives in the rainforests of South America. Photo by Dgwildlife / iStock.com.
Weighing between 150-250 kg (330-550 lb.), Brazilian tapirs measure around 2 m (6 ft.) in length.
Adult Brazilian tapirs have brown coats that vary in shade, with darker hair on their sturdy legs and short, stiff manes. They also have short tails.
Semiaquatic Living
Brazilian tapirs live near water and are capable swimmers and divers. In fact, they sometimes run to the water to escape predators, such as jaguars, pumas, and anacondas.
Brazilian tapirs are well-suited to live near water. Photo by Henk Bogaard / iStock.com.
Splayed toes, four on each front foot and three on each hind foot, help the tapir successfully navigate through soggy ground.
What Brazilian Tapirs Eat
A long, flexible proboscis, or snout, helps tapirs grasp leaves, shoots, buds, fruit, and small branches to eat.
They generally feed only at night, hiding in the cool forest during the day.
A long, flexible proboscis, or snout, helps tapirs grasp leaves, shoots, buds, fruit, and small branches to eat. Photo by Ondrej Prosicky / iStock.com.
Reproduction
For 2 days every 2-3 months, the female Brazilian tapir is able to conceive. Once pregnant, she will carry the baby for over a year before giving birth!
Baby tapirs have brown fur with white stripes to help them blend into the rain forest floor. The white stripes fade as the calves mature.
A Brazilian tapir mother and baby. Photo by tamara_kulikova / iStock.com.
The baby will suckle for several months until the mother stops producing milk.
At 18 months, the calf is fully grown but may stay with its mother for a little longer.
While healthy adult tapirs are fairly successful at avoiding predators, young tapirs are more susceptible to attacks.
In the wild, Brazilian tapirs live about 25-30 years.
Conservation Status
The Brazilian tapir is more abundant than the other three species of tapir, but it is still considered vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN Red List.
One reason for the decrease in population is that Brazilian tapirs are hunted for their meat and hide. Furthermore, their habitat is being destroyed by deforestation and agricultural development.
What You Can Do to Help
You can help preserve their habitat by donating to the Tapir Specialist Group or the Tapir Preservation Fund.
Brazilian Tapir Range
Inhabiting the rain forests of South America, Brazilian tapirs live near water and are capable swimmers and divers.
More Tapir Resources
Quick Fact Sheet
Common Name(s): Brazilian Tapir, South American Tapir, Maned Tapir, Lowland Tapir
Scientific Name: Tapirus terrestris
Animal Type: mammal
Size: 2 m (6 ft.) long
Weight: 150-250 kg (330-550 lb.)
Lifespan: 25-30 years
Conservation Status: Vulnerable
