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Measurements Length:
1.8m |
Diet Leaves, buds, shoots, fruit, grasses and aquatic plants. |
Identification Tapirs have long 'trunk-like' noses evolved to strip the leaves from bushes and trees. They have large, solid bodies with short brown/grey coats, often with a lighter patches on the chest and face. Although almost pig-like in features; the tapir is more closely related to the rhino and horse. |
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Behaviour Tapirs tend to feed during the mornings and evenings; resting during the hotter part of the day. They are of fond of swimming and often submerge themselves in water to cool off
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Distribution & Habitat rainforests of Central and South America |
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Reproduction Mating occurs in or outside of water. Gestation ranges from 335 to 439 days. Twins have been observed, but usually one young is born. |
Conservation In the wild, the Brazilian tapir is locally threatened with extinction due to hunting for meat & hide and habitat destruction. |
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