Brazilian Tapir
| Class: Mammalia:
Mammals |
Diet: Leaves, buds,
shoots, fruit, grasses and aquatic plants |
| Order:
Perissodactyla: Odd-toed Ungulates |
| Size: body:2
m (6 1/2 ft), tail: 5 - 8 cm (2 - 3 in) |
| Family: Tapiridae:
Tapirs |
Conservation Status:
Vulnerable |
| Scientific Name:
Tapirus terrestris |
Habitat: rainforest,
near water or swamps |
| Range:
South America: Colombia, Venezuela, south to Brazil and Paraguay |
 Nearly
always found near water, the Brazilian tapir is a good swimmer and diver
but also moves fast on land, even over rugged, mountainous country. It
is dark brown in color and has a low, erect mane running from the crown
down the back of the neck. Using its mobile snout, this tapir feeds on
leaves, buds, shoots, and small branches that it tears from trees, fruit,
grasses and aquatic plants. The female gives birth to a single spotted
and striped young after a gestation of 390 to 400 days.
  
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