Pregnancy in tapirs lasts 13 months and eventually, the female gives birth to one calf. Tapirs not only love to rest in the water but also use soft algae for food. The different species of tapir are the Baird's Tapir which is native to Central America and the northern parts of South America. In the Andes, there is one breed of tapir. They feed on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of the low-growing shrubs. Tapirs belong to one of the most ancient mammals. Tired of bad news? It is flexible like an elephant's trunk. Tapirus ) – animals that belong to the order of Perissodactyla. There was once a rather ugly kind of tapir in the Netherlands, but he also died out (as did the extinct tapir, which was previously found in Tasmania). However, the tapir’s trunk is actually its upper lip and nose. There are four known species of tapir today, all of which are classified as endangered. Extended into the proboscis upper lip is used to capture the leaves, aquatic plants, and juicy shoots. Like a horse, the tapir has hooves, and some species have a small mane. The animals prefer to settle near rivers and lakes in shrubs and swampy forests. Tapirs are herbivores that feed up on water plants, fruits and buds. Fingers of animals have small hooves, they help them to move easily on the soft and dirty ground. Small eyes, round, sticking out to the side of the ears and short, like a chopped tail, give the animal a funny look. The life expectancy of animals is 30 years. Lemmings – Description, Habitats, Lifestyle and Types. All rights reserved. What tapirs eat and other facts about tapirs. Brazilian tapirs are herbivores (folivores and frugivores), their diet is generally composed of plant material such as fruits, leaves, buds and shoots. But as soon as he grows, the tapirs immediately eat it. After pregnancy lasting 400 days, the female produces the 1st, less often 2 babies. Sometimes tapirs eat up all the moss on Earth, and millions of them starve to death while moss is growing anew. Indeed, tapirs are a bit of a hodge-podge. They Eat A Lot In the zoo, tapirs eat a variety of fruits and vegetables, such as carrots, lettuce, apples, and bananas, and a zoo kibble diet formulated especially for hoofed mammals. These representatives of the detachment of unpaired ungulates live in South America and south-east Asia. Tapirs living on the territory of Brazil, very often first sink to the bottom, and then move along the riverbed and seek food at this time. Tapirs ca… Tapirs eat moss and only moss. These mammals living in forests, eat berries and fruits, as well as leaves of some plants. Read Animal Good News! The whole body of the tapir is densely stocky, covered with thick short fur. On the plain area inhabits three types of tapirs. Their eyes and ears are small. Tapirs have four fingers on their front paws, and three on their hind legs. But as soon as he grows, the tapirs immediately eat it. They have four toes on each front foot and three toes on each back foot, according to the San Diego Zoo.Their most distinctive feature is their snout. These mammals are peaceful creatures that live on land, but at the same time, they choose a place near which will be located in a lake and a river for their accommodation. Your email address will not be published. Tapirs (lat. These mammals are known to particularly favor mombin fruits, resembling large plums. Your email address will not be published. These mammals will also eat twigs and leaves. The Baird's Tapir can be identified by the fact that this species of tapir has a cream coloured marking on it's face. In the language of one of the South American tribes of the tapirs – means “fat”. In case of danger, tapirs hide from their enemy underwater. Tapirs eat moss and only moss. What do lemmings eat in the summer and in winter? © 2020 Animal Good News. They can eat up to 40 kg (85 lb) of vegetation in one day! Required fields are marked *. These animals prefer to lead a … 18. Previously, these animals were widely distributed in many places on our planet. Sometimes tapirs eat up all the moss on Earth, and millions of them starve to death while moss is growing anew. Tapirs belong to the forest animals, which love water very much. Tapirs – skilled swimmers and divers, can stay underwater for a long time, escaping from persecution in a river or lake. The cubs of different species of these animals are born very similar to each other, as they have a protective color of stripes and spots. The tapir, known as the "mountain cow " in Belize, are forest dwellers, active mostly at night as they forage along river banks and forest clearings. Every minute the tapir looks for and eats moss; One animal can eat up to 500 pounds of moss in one day. Tapirs have been known to consume up to 40 kilograms (85 pounds) of vegetation in one day. 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