Tapir-like animal. Types of tapirs

Black tapir (lat. Tapirus indicus) is an artiodactyl mammal from the Tapir family (Tapiridae). It lives in Sumatra, as well as in Thailand, Vietnam, Burma and Malaysia. It is often referred to as the Indian or Malayan tapir.

This species was discovered by Europeans in 1819 and got its name from a white spot on the back of the body, called saddlecloth. The tapir family is represented by 4 species, of which 3 species (mountain, lowland and Central American) live in the tropical forests of Central and South America.

These amazing animals are considered relatives of rhinos and horses.

They are called living relics, they have been living on our planet for more than 35 million years and have practically not changed during this time. The fossil remains of these animals found in Great Britain date back to about 100 thousand years old. In those distant times, they were still widespread throughout the world.

In Asia, the black-backed tapir is valued not only for its tasty, pork-like meat, but is also considered the keeper of home comfort and a formidable repeller of evil spirits.

Behavior

This species lives exclusively in areas covered with dense tropical forests. There he finds a safe haven and an abundance of plant food. The lair is usually located near the source fresh water springs, rivers or lakes.

Tapirs can also settle in swampy areas, they love coolness and mud baths. In order not to get bogged down in the swamp, they spread their toes wide apart. Animals are excellent swimmers and can dive. Particularly impressive is their ability to walk underwater along the bottom of a reservoir like hippos. To inhale air, it is enough for them to expose only the tip of their elongated nose.

In case of danger, black-backed tapirs flee, able to easily climb steep hillsides. They belong to non-ruminant herbivores, feed mainly on young leaves of trees and shrubs, rarely eat fruits and herbaceous vegetation.

In the process of searching for food, tapirs continuously feel the ground with a sensitive short trunk, accurately identifying the smell of their relatives and predators.

They are convinced individualists, lead a solitary nocturnal lifestyle, and only mother and her funny cubs form family groups. Significant paths are laid in the forest, leading mainly to a watering hole. They strenuously mark them, scattering urine around. When meeting a relative, they take a threatening stance, snort and bare their teeth.

The tapir's eyesight is poor, but its hearing and sense of smell are simply excellent. The wedge-shaped body allows him to move very quickly among dense thickets, having heard the slightest suspicious noise.

reproduction

The mating season takes place in April-May. At this time, partners in love tirelessly make lingering whistling sounds and gently bite each other's sides and ears. Pregnancy lasts about 400 days. Cute ones are born
the striped and nosed young are dark brown in color with many longitudinal white stripes.

The weight of newborn babies is 7-10 kg. Cubs grow very quickly and reach the dimensions of adult animals by 7 months. Upon reaching this age, the children's color begins to disappear.

Description

Body length 180-220 cm, height at withers 60-105 cm, weight 250-500 kg, tail 5-10 cm. Males are usually smaller than females. The number of teeth is 42 or 44. The head, front of the body and hind limbs are black. The back and sides are covered with grayish-white hair. The hairline is short and sparse.

The skin on the head and back of the neck, up to 25 mm thick, protects the animal from damage when moving in thickets and from bites of predators. A small trunk was formed as a result of the fusion of the nose and upper lip. The back is higher than the withers. The massive body is distinguished by rounded outlines.

The legs are short but very muscular and allow for decent speed over short distances. The front ends with four, and the back with three fingers. The eyes are small, round, brownish. Occasionally there are specimens with a black color.

Black-backed tapirs easily get used to captivity and do well in zoos. AT vivo their numbers are constantly declining due to deforestation in Southeast Asia, so they are recognized as a vulnerable species. Since the middle of the last century, the previously popular trade in tapir meat has been banned in Thailand, the capture or sale of this animal can result in a fine of 5-6 thousand dollars. USA.

The life expectancy of the black-backed tapir is about 30 years.

Kingdom:	Animals
Type of:	chordates
Class:	mammals
Squad:	Odd-toed ungulates
Family:	Penguins
Genus:	Tapir
View:	Tapirs

Tapirs(lat. Tapirus) - herbivores, distant relative and horses, but more like something between and and one of the most primitive mammals on the planet. During its multimillion-year existence, this animal has changed little.

Distribution and habitats

Tapirs are one of the most ancient mammals. Previously, these animals were widespread in many places on our planet. Today the situation is somewhat different and now three species of tapir live in Central America and some warm places South America, and another species lives in Southeast Asia.

Tapir can be found in deciduous forests With high humidity adjacent to water bodies. They are great swimmers, even underwater. Tapirs love water and spend most of their lives in it. In particular, they bathe to hide from the heat.

All types of tapirs, except for the mountain, are active at night. Mountain, on the contrary, leads a daily lifestyle. If the animal feels the hunt behind it, it will change its daytime life to nighttime. In this case find a tapir quite difficult.

Description and features of tapir

Tapir is a uniquely beautiful animal belonging to the order of equids. In some ways it looks like a pig, but there are still differences. Tapir is a herbivore animal. This is a rather stately animal that has strong legs, a short tail and a slender neck. They are clumsy enough.

The peculiarity of this cute creature is its upper lip, which looks like a trunk. Maybe for this reason there is an opinion that tapirs descended from mammoths.

Despite their slowness, anticipating danger, tapirs develop great speed. They also jump and crawl very well. The second is especially necessary in those places where there are a lot of fallen trees. What is not at all typical for an artiodactyl animal, they even know how to sit on their backside.

They also have thick wool, its color depends on the species:

mountain tapir. This species is considered the smallest. They are dark brown or black. Wool protects it from ultraviolet radiation and cold. The length of his body is approximately 180 cm. In weight, he reaches 180 kg.
black-backed tapir. The largest of the species. It is distinguished by grayish-white spots on the sides and back. The weight of the tapir reaches up to 320 kg, and the body length is up to 2.5 m.
plains tapir. A feature of this seeing is a small withers at the back of the head. The weight reaches up to 270 kg, and the body length is 220 cm. It has a black-brown color, on the stomach and chest it is dark brown.
Central American tapir. Externally, it is very similar to lowland tapir, only larger, weight up to 300 kg, and body length up to 200 cm.

About 13 species of tapirs have already become extinct. All females of the tapir family are larger than males and have more weight. The tapir animal character is friendly and peaceful. He is very easy to tame. He gets along well with people and will make a wonderful pet.

Tapirs have poor eyesight, so they move slowly, and the trunk helps to explore environment. Tapirs are playful and love to swim. For humans, tapirs are valuable because they have a strong and wear-resistant skin, as well as superbly tender meat.

The Asians called this animal the "dream eater". This is because they firmly believe that if a figure of a tapir is carved out of wood or stone, it will help a person get rid of nightmares and insomnia.

Food

In the wild, tapirs feed only on plants, especially the leaves of trees. In Brazil, they prefer the leaves of young palm trees. Often they also attack plantations and then prove that sugar cane, mangoes, melons and other vegetables are also very to their taste. Chudi assures that on plantations where cocoa trees are bred, they sometimes cause huge losses trampling tender plants and gnawing at the leaves.

In uninhabited large forests, sometimes for whole months they feed on fallen fruits of trees, between which they especially love spondium plums, or on succulent and aquatic plants. They feel a special addiction to salt: they need it, like ruminants. “In all the lowlands of Paraguay, where the soil contains a lot of sulphate and hydrochloric acid, tapirs live in abundance. They are here licking the salt-soaked earth.”

According to Keller-Leitzinger, tapirs, like other mammals and birds, even eat clay, just as many people in other countries are very fond of eating earth. However, they eat everything that pigs eat, but they gratefully accept any tasty handout. Woody leaves and fruits, crackers and sugar are among their favorite treats.

Reproduction and rearing of offspring

Tapirs reach sexual maturity at 3-4 years of age. They breed all year round, without adhering to a specific season. Pregnancy lasts up to 412 days (more than a year!), after which one cub is born. Very rarely twins are born. A newborn baby is covered with dark wool, with white stripes. The stripes on his skin are not continuous, but intermittent.

A newborn baby weighs 4 - 7 kg. The first days of life, the baby sits in a shelter, but after only a week, it begins to accompany the mother when she goes to feed. After six months, the female stops feeding the cub with milk, and he switches to eating plant food. By this time, his camouflage striped color disappears.

A young tapir reaches its adult size by one and a half years. It can participate in reproduction at the age of 3-4 years.

Threats

Such a peaceful and kind animal has a lot of enemies, from which tapirs cannot find salvation either on land or in water.

However, their main enemy is man. Hunting tapirs for meat and skin has significantly reduced their population, and to date, four out of five species of tapir are listed as endangered animals.

tapir and man

Man diligently pursues all tapirs for meat and skin. Their meat is considered tender, juicy and tasty. Their thick skin is tanned and cut into straps, which are rounded, softened by rubbing hot fat into them, and then used for whips and reins. From Argentina, many such belts are exported to the markets every year. For shoes, according to Chudi, this skin is not suitable: it cracks in dry weather and swells in damp weather.

Hooves, hair and other parts of the body of a tapir are attributed to various healing properties. On the east coast of America, the common people, however, do not try these remedies at all, but are content to offer them to strangers. But the Indians, according to Chudi, wear the hooves of these animals around their necks as a preventative against epilepsy, even taking them inside in the form of a dried and finely ground powder. The same remedy in Indian medical science occupies a place of honor, since it is also used against consumption, but then it is boiled in cocoa along with the stink liver. Finally, tapir hooves are used by women during the dance as castanets.

More about types of tapir

mountain tapir

This is the smallest and most graceful of tapirs: its body length is only about 180 cm, height at the withers is 75-80 cm, weight ranges from 225 to 250 kg. His coat, unlike other tapirs, is relatively soft, wavy and thick, it is colored black or reddish-brown; and the lips and tips of the ears of the mountain tapir are white. Wool serves as protection from cold and ultraviolet radiation in the highlands. But the skin of this species, on the contrary, is the thinnest among all tapirs. The body of mountain tapirs is bulky, but with slender legs, four toes on the front legs, and three toes on the hind legs. This species has a limited range - it is distributed only in the Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and northern Peru. Mountain tapirs live in mountain forests at altitudes up to 2000-4.500 m above sea level, they can be found even at the very snow line of the highlands.

Little is known about the lifestyle of the mountain tapir. These animals are active mainly from evening to early morning, the rest of the time they rest among dense vegetation. These tapirs are surprisingly agile and move easily through the densest forest thickets. Like all tapirs, they no doubt climb over fallen trunks and are very fond of swimming. From danger, tapirs usually escape in the water. They are able to stay under water for a long time, sticking their trunk out to the surface of the water for breathing - this helps them hide from enemies.

During mating season male tapirs arrange fierce fights over females, biting each other with sharp teeth on their hind legs. Pregnancy in a mountain tapir lasts 390-400 days, after which one (rarely two) cubs are born.

A newborn tapir emerges facing forward, with open eyes. It is able to walk shortly after birth and weighs between 4 and 7 kg. A young tapir is under the care of his mother for 1 year, but his father does not participate in any way in his life. The coloration of young tapirs is not similar to that of an adult - it is dark red-brown with yellow and white stripes and spots. Young animals acquire adult coloration only at the age of about 1 year. Young tapirs reach sexual maturity at the age of about 3 years, and their life expectancy is about 30 years.

The mountain tapir is listed in the IUCN Red List as an endangered species.

The total population of the mountain tapir is estimated at 2,500 animals, and it is the rarest of all tapirs. Competition with cattle forces them to leave large parts of their range. Even in National parks today the grazing one penetrates cattle. Tapirs are hunted for their meat, hooves and snouts, which are used as folk remedies in the treatment of epilepsy and heart disease. Hunters and poachers make big money for tapir body parts.

plains tapir

The most common type of tapir. Weight ranges from 150 to 270 kg, females are larger than males. The body length reaches 220 cm, the tail is very short, up to 8 cm. The height is from 77 to 108 cm. There is a small mane on the back of the head. The back is painted black-brown, the chest, belly and legs are dark brown. The ears are white on the edge. The neck and cheeks are also white. The body is compact, the legs are strong, the eyes are small, the nose is proboscis.

The species is widely distributed in South America east of the Andes, from Colombia and Venezuela to southern Brazil, Paraguay and northern Argentina. The plain tapir, despite its name, is an inhabitant of rainforest where it is found near water bodies.

Central American tapir or Baird's tapir

Height reaches 120 cm, body length up to 200 cm, weight about 300 kg. The maximum recorded weight of the black-backed tapir was 540 kg. It is the largest tapir in America, and the largest wild mammal in the American tropics. Outwardly, it resembles a plain tapir, but is larger than the latter in size and with a shorter mane at the back of the head. The coat is dark brown, cheeks and neck are yellow-gray. The body is bulky, the legs are slender. The tail is very short. The trunk is small.

The species is distributed from the south of Mexico through the territory of Central America to the west of Colombia and Ecuador. Lives in tropical forests, near water bodies.

black-backed tapir

The only Asian tapir species and the most large view with body length from 1.8 to 2.4 m, height from 0.75 to 1 m, weight from 250 to 320 kg. Females are larger than males. The body is massive, the legs are short. The tail is short, 5-10 cm long. The ears are small. Muzzle with a small flexible trunk. The eyes are small. The species differs from relatives by a large grayish-white spot (saddle cap) on the back and sides, which is how it got its name. The rest of the color is black or dark brown, the tips of the ears are outlined with a white border. Such an unusual color performs protective function, in the dark, the animal is lost, only a white spot is noticeable, and predators do not recognize prey. The coat is short, sparse, there is no mane on the back of the head. The skin on the head and nape is thick, up to 2.5 cm.

The species is found in the south and in the center of the island of Sumatra, in Malaysia, Myanmar and Thailand, in the south of Cambodia, Vietnam and Laos.

Today there are four types of tapirs, which appearance slightly different from each other: black-backed tapir, mountain, Central American and lowland tapir. However, they all, regardless of what species they are assigned to, have a weight of 150-300 kg, the height at the withers of these animals reaches one meter, and the body length is about two meters.
In the wild, tapirs live for about 30 years.
Pregnancy in tapirs lasts 13 months and, as a result, the female gives birth to one cub. cubs different types these animals are born very similar friend on the other, as they have a protective color of stripes and spots.
Tapirs are one of the most ancient mammals.
Tapirs living in Brazil very often first sink to the bottom, and then move along the riverbed and look for food at this time.
Three types of tapirs live on the flat terrain. These animals prefer to be crepuscular or nocturnal. One species of tapir lives in the Andes. These mammals are somewhat smaller than other species and are mostly diurnal.

An unusual tapir animal (you will see a photo, description and lifestyle in the article) combines the structure and color of several animals at once, and today “Me and the World” will tell about this ancient inhabitant of the planet.

Ancient inhabitant of the planet

Who is this, or could it be? This is an artiodactyl animal, a detachment of animals and the tapir family, resembling in color, but in structure a wild boar. But instead of a snout, a proboscis grows on the muzzle. And this boar-panda-elephant is called a tapir.

The length of his body can reach two meters or more, but usually it is less by 20-25 cm, and it grows about 1 meter in height. Average weight- 270-300 kg.

Because of the trunk, it seems that the muzzle is too elongated. With such a nose, the tapir reaches out to the delicacy, it can lengthen, and then retract back. At its tip there are hairs that serve as an organ of touch. Hearing is also well developed, but small eyes see quite poorly. On pretty developed jaw very sharp teeth.

The color of each species is different, and there are only five of them. Four live in America, and one in Asia is the Black-backed Tapir, whose skin is colored and resembles a panda.

Living environment and habits

They live in dense areas, where it is very difficult to meet them - they hide in the most remote places and are very afraid of people. They prefer to be constantly near water bodies, because water for them is both a habitat, and bathing, and protection from predators. Thanks to the ability to stay at the bottom for a long time, only when they sense the enemy, they rush into the water with a run and go along the bottom to the very bottom. deep place. For some time, tapirs are at the bottom, having had a snack on the plants of the reservoir at one time.

They love to swim very much, and after taking a mud bath, you definitely need to rinse in warm water. Each tapir bypasses its territory along their own trodden paths, and if they meet a relative, then everything can end in a brawl. Although it usually ends with "sound" negotiations, because they know how to talk to each other.

At night, they like to make forays into agricultural fields, eat sweet corn or something else. For this, the farmers brutally shoot them. Tapirs are also killed because of the very tasty and soft meat.

During the breeding season, from the moment of courtship to birth, about a year passes, since pregnancy lasts almost 400 days. Only one cub weighing up to 8 kg is born. The coloration resembles boar babies: the same white stripes on a gray background. They grow quickly and reach the size of an adult animal in six months, and soon they leave their mother in " adulthood».

plains tapir

Short stature and medium weight, dark brown color. A stiff, upright mane grows between the ears and along the neck. It lives on the mainland in South America, where it flows. What does the inhabitant of the plains eat? These are mostly leaves of trees and shrubs, aquatic plants, fruits and fruits, which it reaches with its trunk. If he cannot reach something, he stands on his hind legs, and with his front legs rests on the trunk.

Inhabitant of the center of America

Central American - the largest of the American tapirs, reaches a height of 120 cm, and weighs up to 300 kg. The mane is very small, and the color is gray with a light spot in front of the neck. In terms of lifestyle, it is similar to the plains, but is listed in the Red Book as an endangered species.

mountain dweller

The mountain is the smallest, its length does not exceed 180 cm, weight is 230-240 kg, and the height at the withers is only 70-80 cm. The coat is dark brown, almost black, unlike other animals, soft, wavy, thick. Lives in the Andes, rising to a height of up to 4000 km. The lifestyle is unknown, because it can be found very rarely, therefore it is listed in the Red Book as very rare.

Asian look

It is also called Indian. Black-backed is the largest of all American and reaches a weight of just over 300 kg and a body length of more than 250 cm. With a long, strong trunk, powerful, strong legs. The middle of the body is grayish-white (saddle cap), the rest of the body is black. It seems that such a color is bright, but on a sunny day, the black-backed tapir is difficult to notice. They live in the tropics of Sumatra, in southern Thailand and Burma. The lifestyle is the same as other species.

Tapirs do well in captivity. For example, in the Moscow Zoo, this beast perfectly coexists with wildebeest and giraffes.

Video

Now you know what an unusual and ancient animal looks like - Tapir. It is a pity that every year their number is reduced. And the main reason is extermination for the sake of meat. Now it is important to preserve these animals that survived even the Ice Age.

Tapirs (Tapirus) are large, stocky herbivores with muscular bodies and short trunks. Today there are four species in the genus of tapirs. Three of them live in South America, and the fourth species inhabits Burma and Thailand. Tapirs are shy, solitary tropical forest animals that live in almost any wooded or grassy area with constant access to fresh water.

The size of all tapirs on average becomes 1.8-2.5 m, and the weight is 150-300 kg. Their body is cone-shaped, rounded at the rear and tapered at the front, well suited for moving quickly through dense undergrowth. In addition, tapirs have a very short tail.

Tapirs are exclusively herbivores. They eat the leaves, buds, shoots and fruits of many plants. These are solitary animals, with the exception of females and their offspring. Pregnancy lasts close to 13-14 months. Young tapirs are weaned after 10-12 months, and sexual maturity occurs at about 2-4 years. Tapirs live for about 30 years. Now all four species of tapirs are on the verge of extinction, and their populations continue to decline rapidly.