Tapir Latest News
World Tapir Day is celebrated every year on April 27.
About Tapir
- Tapirs are large herbivorous mammals.
- They are often called “living fossils” due to their lineage dating back millions of years.
- Appearance: They have short, flexible snouts, and tapirs use them to grab leaves and fruits.
- They are also excellent swimmers and spend a lot of time in water.
- Diet: They’re herbivores and fifty per cent of their diet consists of fruit.
- Distribution: They inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
- There are only four species of tapirs. They live in distinct geographical areas.
- Malayan Tapir: It is the largest of the tapirs which is native to Southeast Asia. Its black-and-white stripes help it blend into the forest. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
- Baird’s Tapir: It is Central America’s biggest land mammal. It is found in tropical forests and around water. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
- Lowland Tapir: The South American tapir is the most widespread. It is found in the Amazon Basin and other areas. (IUCN Status: Vulnerable)
- Mountain Tapir: It is the rarest and found in the high Andes. (IUCN Status: Endangered)
- Ecological Role: They form an important part of the ecosystem as seed dispersers.
Source: News On Air
Last updated on April, 2026
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Tapir FAQs
Q1. Tapirs are most closely related to which animals?+
Q2. What is the ecological role of tapirs?+
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