The South American tapir, Tapirus terrestris, is a vegetarian mammal from the Tapiridae family which lives in the South American rainforest.
Profile
Vulnerable (VU)
Lifestyle
Even though the tapir is the largest mammal in South America, it still has predators – the jaguar and Man himself. To escape them, it dives into the water and swims away. But this means of defence cannot protect it from the threats represented by deforestation and competition with livestock.
Distinctive features
The tapir has a short prehensile trunk which helps it to grab leaves and fruit to feed on. It reminds you of an elephant’s trunk, but the tapir is not related to it. It is the "cousin" of the horse and the rhinoceros.