Brazilian tapir
Scientific name
Tapirus terrestris
Size and weight
1.8 to 2.5 m in length and 150 to 320 kg
Diet
Fruits, berries, shrubs, herbs, leaves, grasses
Conservation status
Vulnerable
Native habitat
Most of South America
lifespan
25 to 35 years
Meet our tapir
Our Brazilian tapir, Alf, was born on 20 August 2016. His favourite food is sweet potato and he goes mad for frozen banana as a treat. Alf loves jumping in the pool, especially when it’s just been cleaned! He’s super sweet and a real gentle giant, happy to sit patiently while the keepers give him a good scratch. To keep him entertained, we hide food in a ball that he loves to push around his enclosure.
About the Brazilian tapir
There are four species of tapir and Brazilian tapirs are the most common. They’re the biggest land animal in the Amazon. Their snouts might make them look like anteaters or elephants, but they’re actually related to rhinos and horses.
Tapirs use their little trunks to grab leaves and other food. When threatened on land, they run and dive into the water to hide. But they can also defend themselves with a powerful bite.
Sadly, Brazilian tapir numbers are going down. The biggest threats they face are hunting, poaching, and deforestation.
Did you know?
- tapirs love swimming and can use their trunks like snorkels
- baby tapirs have spots and stripes to help them blend into their surroundings
- they poo in the water to hide their scent from predators
- Brazilian tapirs are also called South American tapirs or lowland tapirs
