Tapir Facts! READ AND LEARN.
The
Malayan tapir -
Tapirus indicus - is the only tapir from Asia. This species is found in Thailand, Burma, Malaysia, and Indonesia. It has a distinctive black and white coat pattern. This acts as camouflage by breaking up the tapir's body outline in the shade of the forest. Males weigh 660-740 pounds (270-333 kg), females 760-900 pounds (342-405 kg). The heaviest tapir on record weighed 1,190 pounds.
eek Their average lifespan is 25-30 years.
At birth, a baby tapir weighs approximately 15 pounds. All tapir calves have reddish brown coats, with white / yellow spots and stripes, which acts as a camouflage. They begin to lose these markings after a few months, and by 8 months old, it has full adult coloring.
Malayan tapirs are herbivores -- their diet consists of leaves, grass, fruit, twigs, and other vegetation. They are excellent swimmers, and also eat plants that they find in water. They can stay under water for several minutes at a time. They are also capable of using their trunks as a "snorkle" to breathe while submerged. (How cute~ snorkeling tapir!
cool )
Tigers are the Malayan tapir's main natural predators. Humans also pose a threat to all tapir species, through hunting and destruction of their habitat. All four species of tapir are currently endangered or threatened.
Tapir Facts are brought to you, courtesy of:
Zoo.org
Sandiegozoo.org
Nationalgeographic.com
Zsl.org
And watch the cuddly tapir videos, over there! >
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: DD
*hands some tastey food*