Tapiridae

Tapiridae is a family of large, herbivorous mammals in the order Perissodactyla. Commonly known as tapirs, they are the surviving members of a once more diverse group of animal lineages. Tapiridae today comprises several living species that inhabit tropical forests, woodlands, and grasslands of the Americas and parts of Asia, and they are closely related to horses and rhinoceroses.

Tapirs have a distinctive appearance: a stout, barrel-shaped body with short legs and a flexible, elongated snout that forms a prehensile proboscis used to grasp leaves, fruit, and vegetation. Their skin is relatively thick, and coloration ranges from gray to brown. Adults typically weigh between 150 and 300 kilograms, though sizes vary among species. They are well adapted to a semi-aquatic lifestyle, with strong swimming abilities and a preference for areas near water.

Geographically, tapirs are found in Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia. They favor dense forest habitats near rivers and swamps, where they can forage and seek refuge from predators. Tapirs are largely solitary or live in small, loosely associated groups. They are primarily crepuscular or nocturnal, feeding on a wide range of vegetation, including leaves, shoots, fruits, and aquatic plants.

Reproduction is slow; the gestation period is about 13 months, typically yielding a single calf. Calves are weaned after several months and remain with their mothers for an extended period. The Tapiridae family has a rich fossil record with many extinct relatives; modern tapirs represent a relatively late branch in this lineage.

Conservation-wise, tapirs face threats from habitat loss, fragmentation, and hunting. Several species are considered threatened or endangered in various parts of their range, and ongoing conservation and habitat protection efforts are important for their persistence.