Species · GBIF taxon 2440898
South American Tapir
Tapirus terrestrisAlso known as Lowland Tapir, Brazilian Tapir, Amazonian Tapir, Maned Tapir
South American tapirs navigate dense rainforests and wetlands using their highly flexible, prehensile proboscis to sniff out and pluck choice leaves, fruits, and aquatic vegetation. These solitary, excellent swimmers frequently plunge into rivers to escape predators, cool down, or rid themselves of parasites. Mothers raise a single, white-spotted calf for over a year, teaching it to navigate the complex forest undergrowth.
NocturnalHerbivoreRainforest
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fallen fruits
- Aquatic plants
- Tree bark and leaves
Predators
- Jaguar
- Puma
- Black Caiman
ThreatsHabitat loss, deforestation, hunting, and vehicle collisions
HabitatsTropical rainforests, wetlands, river basins, and grasslands
Life span25 to 30 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTapiridae
- SpeciesTapirus terrestris
Native
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- Can charge or bite if startled or cornered; maintain a respectful distance at all times.
- Why it is dangerous
- Adults can weigh up to 250 kilograms and may charge, trample, or deliver a powerful bite if they feel threatened or cornered.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for a massive, dark brown body with a short, stiff mane running from the forehead to the neck.
- What to do
- Never block their path to water, and back away slowly if they stamp their feet or snort loudly.
- What to notice
- Recognized by their distinctive prehensile snout and low, whistling vocalizations in undisturbed forests.
- Support conservation
- Support local habitat corridor initiatives and never purchase products derived from wild tapirs.
Responsible observation
- Listen closely: Listen for high-pitched whistles and snorts, which these large mammals use to communicate through dense brush.
- Look for tracks: Search muddy riverbanks for their distinctive three-toed hind tracks and four-toed front tracks.
- Keep your distance: Avoid approaching closely, especially if a mother is accompanied by her striped and spotted calf.
Predator (c) Charles J. Sharp , some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative "Baird's Tapir" by Eric Kilby is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0. To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/2.0/. · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) David Sifry, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Close Relative (c) Allie_Caulfield, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.