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Brazilian Tapir Entering The Water (Tapirus terrestris)

Cuiaba River

The Pantanal

Brazil

South America

 

One of the highlights of my trip to Brazil was seeing a tapir swimming across the river my last night out in the boat. The tapir was standing on shore and then decided to cross. It came very close to the boat and the five us got some great photographs. We were thrilled being the only ones to see it.

 

A relative of the rhinoceros, the Brazilian tapir, or lowland tapir, is one of four species of tapir.

 

Inhabiting the rain forests of South America, Brazilian tapirs live near water and are capable swimmers and divers. In fact, they sometimes run to the water to escape predators. Splayed toes, four on each front foot and three on each hind foot, help the tapir successfully navigate through soggy ground.

 

Weighing between 150-250 kg (330-550 lb.), Brazilian tapirs measure around 2 m (6 ft.) in length. A long, flexible proboscis, or snout, helps tapirs grasp leaves, shoots, buds, fruit, and small branches to eat. They generally feed only at night, hiding in the cool forest during the day.

 

For 2 days every 2-3 months, the female Brazilian tapir is able to conceive. Once pregnant, she will carry the baby for over a year before giving birth!

 

The Brazilian tapir is more abundant than the other three species of tapir, but it is still considered vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN Red List. – Wikipedia

 

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Uploaded on August 21, 2024
Taken on August 7, 2016