Brazilian tapirs have a brown coat that varies in shade and darker limbs. They have a long and flexible snout that can be used to grasp objects such as leaves and buds to eat. When they swim, the snout also acts as a snorkel. Newborn babies have white stripes to act as camouflage and disappear when they reach six months old, when they start to gain their adult appearance.
They are excellent divers and swimmers who dive into the water and move along the riverbed to forage for aquatic vegetation. These animals are generally peaceful and shy but can get aggressive when defending their territory and mating rights.
Distribution
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
French Guiana
Guyana
Paraguay
Peru
Suriname
VenezuelaDid you know?
- Their natural predators are only the jaguars. Caimans will consume young tapirs.
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Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) / Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
