Malayan Tapir

Tapirus indicus

This species gets its name from the light- colored marking on its back, which resembles a saddle blan-ket – also known as a "schabrack." It may sound conspicuous, but it's actually excellent camouflage: in the dappled forest light, the animal's outline almost completely disappears.

Rambo with a Trunk

The largest of the four tapir species spends up to 90 % of its active time foraging – often quite aggres- sively: they bite into trunks, push over small trees, and even use their short trunk to grab leaves up to three meters high.

Characteristics

Origin
Southeast Asia; Malaysia, Thailand and Myanmar, as well as Sumatra
Habitat
tropical lowland (rain)forests, usually near water
Diet
leaves, shoots, twigs and fallen fruit

Size
Shoulder height: up to 110 cm
Weight
250 to 320 kg
Gestation period
ca. 13 months
Achievable age
up to 36 years in human care

Threat Categories of IUCN

Did you know?

Its powerful neck offers great protection from harm and enemies.

Tapirs are solitary animals outside the mating season, with the exception of mothers and their offspring.

The Malayan Tapir is the only tapir species found in Asia.

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