Tapirs (Family Tapiridae) are a family of hoofed mammals that inhabit the forests of South and Central America and Souteast Asia. These piglike mammals spend a great deal of their time in water where they enjoy safety from predators such as jaguars. Tapirs have elongated faces with large snouts and nostrils. Their sense of smell is acute and enables them to quickly detect danger.
Tapirs have 3 toes and a thin coat of fur (with the exception of the mountain tapir, which has a thicker coat than other species of tapirs). Tapirs exhibit a range of colors including brown, black, and gray. Some species have lighter markings on their face and the juveniles of some species have white strips and marks over their bodies.
Classification:
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum Chordata
- Class Mammalia
- Order Perissodactyla
- Family Tapiridae
The Family Tapiridae contains the following subgroups:- Genus: Tapirus
- Species: Tapirus terrestris (South American tapir)
- Species: Tapirus pinchaque (Mountain tapir)
- Species: Tapirus bairdii (Baird's tapir)
- Species: Tapirus indicus (Malayan tapir)
- Genus: Tapirus
Where to See:
South America, Central America, Southeast Asia. Primarly found in forests near rivers. Some species (such as Tapirus pinchaque) are found in mountainous or grassland regions.
References:
- Burnie D, Wilson DE. 2001. Animal. London: Dorling Kindersley. 624 p.
