Animals Mammals

Lowland Tapir

SCIENTIFIC NAME:

Tapirus terrestris

PROFILE:

Lowland tapirs, also referred to as South American tapirs, prefer waterside habitats, swim well, and often dive to escape predators such as pumas and jaguars. The most distinguishing feature of the lowland tapir is its long, flexible proboscis, which is formed by its upper lip and nose and is used to strip leaves and pick fruit from trees.

TYPE OF ANIMAL:

mammal, perissodactyla (odd-toed ungulates)

NATIVE TO:

north and central South America

IUCN CONSERVATION STATUS:

vulnerable

DIET:

herbivore

LIFESPAN:

wild and zoos up to 25-30 years

SOCIAL STATUS:

solitary