Lowland tapir
One of two tapirs that live at Jimmy's Farm in Suffolk.
The lowland tapir is found from north-central Colombia and east of the Andes and including most of tropical South America, but they can also be found in seasonally dry habitats such as the Chaco of Bolivia and Paraguay.
Adaptable to different habitats, tapirs may be found in swamp and hillside areas, savannah, and in cloud forests and rainforests. Preferring moist areas, they are often found near waterways where they can feed, rest, and bathe. Semi-aquatic by nature, they are known for being strong swimmers, with the ability to cross rivers.
Tapirs share a close evolutionary relationship with horses and rhinoceroses, collectively classified as odd-toed ungulates due to their uneven number of toes.
They are one of the largest mammals found in South America, weighing in at anywhere between 350 to 600 lb. (158 to 272 kg), growing to 6 ft. (1.82 m) in length, and standing between 30 and 43 in. (0.76 to 1.09 m) at the shoulder, the size of a small pony. Unusual in appearance, tapirs have thick necks, stumpy tails, large teeth, perfect for grinding up plants and seeds, and a long prehensile snout, used to pull down branches and access leaves. They are a tan to dark brown colour. The Lowland tapir can be identified by its large stiff mane or crest from forehead to shoulder, which the other three species of tapirs do not have.
Lowland tapirs are primarily solitary and shy, grazing and foraging at night and resting or hiding during the day. They are herbivores and eat leaves and branches from trees, grasses, and fruits, including palm fruits in the wild
In the wild lowland tapirs only come together for mating. Female undergo a lengthy pregnancy of 13 months, eventually giving birth to a single stripy brown and cream coloured calf. This coloration aids in camouflaging the calf from potential predators. The young tapir remains with its mother for approximately 1 to 2 years. It can expect to have a life span of 30 years.
Although they are large, tapirs are quite defenceless, and it is believed that pumas, jaguars, and alligators may prey on small tapirs.
The major threats to the species are habitat loss due to deforestation, hunting for meat by indigenous people, and competition with domestic livestock.
There is not enough research information available to estimate the population. Due to habitat loss population numbers are in decline, though numerous strongholds exist. Although generally rare and elusive, lowland tapir's can be locally common, such as around water sources.
The lowland tapir's conservation status is listed as 'Vulnerable'.
Lowland tapir
One of two tapirs that live at Jimmy's Farm in Suffolk.
The lowland tapir is found from north-central Colombia and east of the Andes and including most of tropical South America, but they can also be found in seasonally dry habitats such as the Chaco of Bolivia and Paraguay.
Adaptable to different habitats, tapirs may be found in swamp and hillside areas, savannah, and in cloud forests and rainforests. Preferring moist areas, they are often found near waterways where they can feed, rest, and bathe. Semi-aquatic by nature, they are known for being strong swimmers, with the ability to cross rivers.
Tapirs share a close evolutionary relationship with horses and rhinoceroses, collectively classified as odd-toed ungulates due to their uneven number of toes.
They are one of the largest mammals found in South America, weighing in at anywhere between 350 to 600 lb. (158 to 272 kg), growing to 6 ft. (1.82 m) in length, and standing between 30 and 43 in. (0.76 to 1.09 m) at the shoulder, the size of a small pony. Unusual in appearance, tapirs have thick necks, stumpy tails, large teeth, perfect for grinding up plants and seeds, and a long prehensile snout, used to pull down branches and access leaves. They are a tan to dark brown colour. The Lowland tapir can be identified by its large stiff mane or crest from forehead to shoulder, which the other three species of tapirs do not have.
Lowland tapirs are primarily solitary and shy, grazing and foraging at night and resting or hiding during the day. They are herbivores and eat leaves and branches from trees, grasses, and fruits, including palm fruits in the wild
In the wild lowland tapirs only come together for mating. Female undergo a lengthy pregnancy of 13 months, eventually giving birth to a single stripy brown and cream coloured calf. This coloration aids in camouflaging the calf from potential predators. The young tapir remains with its mother for approximately 1 to 2 years. It can expect to have a life span of 30 years.
Although they are large, tapirs are quite defenceless, and it is believed that pumas, jaguars, and alligators may prey on small tapirs.
The major threats to the species are habitat loss due to deforestation, hunting for meat by indigenous people, and competition with domestic livestock.
There is not enough research information available to estimate the population. Due to habitat loss population numbers are in decline, though numerous strongholds exist. Although generally rare and elusive, lowland tapir's can be locally common, such as around water sources.
The lowland tapir's conservation status is listed as 'Vulnerable'.