Fauna
Mammal

South American Tapir

Tapirus terrestris

Also known as Brazilian Tapir, Lowland Tapir, Amazonian Tapir, Maned Tapir

South American tapirs roam tropical rainforests and river valleys, using their flexible prehensile snouts to pluck leaves, fruits, and aquatic vegetation. Excellent swimmers and divers, these heavy-bodied herbivores retreat into deep water or thick mud to cool off and evade predators like jaguars. By dispersing seeds across vast distances through their digestive tracts, they serve as crucial ecological engineers in Amazonian ecosystems.

MammalHerbivoreSemi-aquatic
South American Tapir reference1 / 7
(c) Jens-Christian Svenning, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jens-Christian Svenning · cc-by
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VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyFallen Fruits, Leaves and Shoots, Aquatic Plants
Predators
  • Jaguar
  • Puma
  • Green Anaconda
ThreatsDeforestation, habitat fragmentation, hunting, traffic collisions
HabitatsLowland rainforests, swamps, river valleys, gallery forests
Life span25–30 years
Classification
  1. OrderPerissodactyla
  2. FamilyTapiridae
  3. GenusTapirus
  4. SpeciesTapirus terrestris
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Large mammal capable of charging or biting if threatened; maintain a safe distance.
Why it is dangerous
Weighing up to 250 kilograms, a cornered or startled tapir can charge at high speeds or deliver a forceful bite with sharp incisors.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for a robust, dark-brown body featuring a low, narrow crest topped with a stiff black mane along the neck.
What to do
If encountered at close range, back away slowly behind a large tree and ensure you do not block its path to water.
What to notice
Recognizable by its dark coat, short tail, white-rimmed ears, and distinctive prehensile trunk.
Support conservation
Observe silently from established trails, avoid artificial lights, and support local conservation zones that protect river corridors.
Responsible observation
  • Patience at Waterholes: Scan muddy riverbanks and shallow wallows during dawn or dusk when tapirs are most active.
  • Keep Distance: Maintain a safe buffer of at least 15 meters, especially if a mother is with a young striped calf.
  • Listen Carefully: Watch for sudden splashes or high-pitched whistle calls echoing through dense foliage.
Related species
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