Lowland Tapir (Tapirus terrestris): habitat and range

Fun facts

It is the largest native land mammal of the Amazon rainforest.
The watermelon-like pattern of spots and stripes it is born with fades by its first birthday.
It plays a key role in dispersing the seeds of many plant species.
taxonomíaAlthough it looks like a pig with a trunk, it is far more closely related to rhinoceroses and horses than to pigs or hippos.

Life cycle and biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat and environment: Rainforest, swamps, savannah and wetlands across much of South America, always close to water
Birth weight: 3.2-5.8 kg at birth, with striking white stripes and spots for camouflage
Size at birth: 3.2-5.8 kg at birth
Sexual maturity: 2-3 years
Gestation / incubation: 335-439 days (average ~380 days, ~13 months)
Litter / clutch size: 1 calf per birth (twins very rare), with 2 years between births
Life expectancy in captivity: Documented record of up to 35-39.6 years

Sources consulted: Creatures.com; All Species Wiki; Zoo Berlin; Zoo Santo Inácio; Animal Diversity Web; Marwell Zoo; Peak Wildlife Park; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); PMC (Theileria terrestris study)

Where to find it

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The pins mark the parks where its presence is documented.

Where to see it

Parks and dive sites where this species has been documented — showing 10 of 26.

Related species

Other species in the catalogue with the most in common with Lowland Tapir — same habitat, park, country, tags or family.

Same taxonomic family

Shares a park

How to help

The lowland tapir is classified as vulnerable. Organisations such as the IUCN, WWF and the Wildlife Conservation Society work specifically on its conservation and that of its habitat; looking into their programmes is a good starting point if you want to get involved.

It's documented in 10 protected areas — one reason why protecting these places matters for its conservation.

Lowland Tapir