Tapirs (extant/living species; Tapirus spp.) Fact Sheet: Summary

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Perissodactyla - odd-toed ungulates

Family: Tapiridae - tapirs

Genus: Tapirus

*Species: Tapirus indicus - Malayan tapir, Asian tapir
*Species: Tapirus bairdii - Baird's tapir
*Species: Tapirus pinchaque - Mountain tapir, Andrean tapir
*Species: Tapirus terrestris - Brazilian tapir, South American tapir, lowland tapir

*Taxonomists are still debating the organization of tapir species. The above taxonomy is followed by IUCN, but also see alternate species taxonomy in Taxonomy.

Head-body length
Lowland tapir: 191-242 cm (75-95 in)
Central American tapir: 200-230 cm (79-91 in)
Mountain tapir: 180-200 cm (71-79 in)
Malayan tapir: 250-300 cm (98-118 in)

Tail Length
Less than 10 cm for all species.

Weight
Lowland tapir: 180-300 kg (397-661 lb)
Central American tapir: 250-350 kg (551-772 lb)
Mountain tapir: 150-200 kg (331-441 lb)
Malayan tapir: 280-400 kg (617-882)

Pelage
Short hair; some species with manes. Coloration varies by species.

Range
Asia, Central America, and South America

Habitat
Tropical rainforests, marshes, and swamps; mangroves; lowland (Brazilian) tapir may occupy drier habitats

IUCN Status
Malayan, Baird's, and Mountain tapirs: Endangered
Lowland tapir: Vulnerable

CITES Appendix
Malayan Tapir: Appendix I
Baird's Tapir: Appendix I
Mountain Tapir: Appendix I
Lowland Tapir: Appendix II

Other Designations
U.S. Endangered Species Act: all species endangered

Populations in the Wild
Populations declining for all species.
Baird's tapir: fewer than 5,500
Malay tapir: approximately 2,500-3,000
Mountain tapir: fewer than 2,500
Lowland tapir: no reliable estimates

Locomotion
Walk in zig-zag fashion, with snout close to ground for better smelling. Good swimmers.

Activity Cycle
Feed before dawn and at dusk. Rest during the day; sleep between midnight and dawn.

Social Groups
Generally solitary, except during breeding season

Diet
Wide variety of plant material, including herbs, twigs, shrubs, grass, fruit, and berries

Predators
Humans, crocodiles, jaguars/large cats, anacondas, tigers (in Asia)

Sexual Maturity
2-3 years

Gestation
13-14 months

Litter Size
One

Interbirth Interval
18 months, in managed care

Birth Weight
14-25 lbs birth (6-11 kg)

Typical Life Expectancy
Managed care: median life expectancy of about 18 years

Feature Facts

• Very shy
• Distinctive, flexible proboscis-like snout/nose
• Love water and wallowing in mud
• Keen senses of hearing and smell; scent mark with urine
• Baby tapirs reddish-brown with white striped/spotted coats (good camouflage)
• Important role as tropical seed dispersers
• Often mate in water
• Losing habitat to agriculture
• SDZWA has housed several species of tapir, starting in 1925 with a Baird's tapir