Mammal

Mountain Tapir

Tapirus pinchaque

Also known as Andean Tapir, Woolly Tapir, Pinchaque

Mountain tapirs navigate the steep, misty slopes of the high Andes, wrapped in a thick, woolly coat that insulates them against freezing mountain nights. These solitary herbivores are easily recognized by their prominent white lips and a flexible, prehensile snout used to strip leaves and twigs from alpine vegetation. As vital seed dispersers, they play a crucial role in maintaining the health of fragile cloud forests and paramo ecosystems.

AlpineSolitaryHerbivore

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EndangeredConservation status

Key facts

Diet & preyLeaves, twigs, ferns, bromeliads, and high-altitude shrubs

Predators

Spectacled Bear
Cougar
Jaguar

ThreatsHabitat fragmentation, agricultural expansion, poaching, and climate change

HabitatsMontane cloud forests, paramo grasslands, and high-altitude wetlands

Life span25 to 30 years

Classification

FamilyTapiridae
SpeciesTapirus pinchaque

Range & activity

Native

Safe observation

Interaction riskHigh

Low
Moderate
High
Very high

Why interaction risk is high: Shy and non-aggressive, but can charge or bite if cornered; observe quietly from a safe distance.
What to notice: Look for a dark, woolly coat, white-fringed ears, and distinctive white lips in high-altitude Andean forests.
Support conservation: Never approach, feed, or attempt to track them off-trail, as human presence can disrupt their feeding.

Responsible observation

Keep your distance: Maintain a respectful distance of at least 20 meters to avoid startling them.
Watch for tracks: Look for their distinct three-toed footprints in muddy mountain trails.
Listen closely: Listen for high-pitched whistles, which they use to communicate in dense fog.

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