The tapir is related to the horse and rhinoceros. They have lived on earth for about 35 million years. The Brazilian or Lowland Tapir is nearly always found close to water and is a good swimmer. It is fast and sure-footed on land too, even on the roughest terrain.
The tapir has blackish-brown fur, grows to a length of 160cm and shoulder height of 90cm, and weighs about 270 kilos. They stand about the size of a Shetland pony, have hooves and a long flexible snout which resembles a short trunk.
The tapir is solitary by nature, no more than three are ever seen together. It is mainly nocturnal. Its strange streamlined shape makes it ideal for pushing through dense forest undergrowth as it browses on twigs, leaves, grasses and fallen fruit. Tapirs usually give birth to a single baby and the newborn has a reddish brown coat dappled with spots and stripes. This is a form of camouflage to help protect the youngster for the first 6 months of its life.
