Common Name: Malayan Tapir Scientific Name: Tapirus indicus
VULNERABLE Malayan Tapir Distribution: Asia
Habitat: Forest near water Height: Approx. 100cm Weight: Up to 300kg Diet: Herbivorous
As an adult the tapir has very distinctive markings. The front part of the body and the legs are black with the rest of the body being white. This breaks up the body outline in the forest and helps the tapir avoid being detected by predators. The tapir has a flexible proboscis (snout) which is uses to pull leaves. Young tapir have a dappled reddish brown coat which provides camouflage. The Malayan Tapir is found in Southeast Asia from southern Myanmar, south-west Thailand, Malaysia, and the Malay Peninsula to Sumatra. Although this seems widespread they are fragmented small populations. Tapirs are found in forested habitats and as they like to bathe and wallow, they are usually found around areas where there is water. The Tapir is a herbivore and eats grasses, aquatic plants, leaves, buds, soft twigs and fruits. They browse vegetation using their flexible proboscis and will travel long distances in search of food. The Tapir is nocturnal and usually travels alone, mother and calf will travel together. Females reach maturity at 3- 4 years and males are mature at 5 years old. The breeding season is not well defined but most activity occurs in April and June. After a gestation period of 390 – 403 days, one calf is born. The calf weighs around 7 kg. The calf stays with its mother for between 6 – 8 months.