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Asian Tapir

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Local name: 
Tapir
Scientific name: 

Tapirus indicus

Status: 
Endangered

 Asian Tapir

Distribution:The Asian Tapir is native to Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula and southern Thailand. It is one of four tapir species and the only one found in Asia. Brazilian, Mountain and Baird’s tapirs range from Central to South America.

Population size:

There is very little information on the population size of the Asian Tapir but it is estimated that the population has decreased by more than 50% in the last 36 years.
Characteristics:

The Asian Tapir is the largest of the four tapir species. An adult Asian Tapir can measure up to 1m at shoulder height and can weigh up to 400kg. Females are generally larger than males.

Habitat:

Asian tapirs range from lowland forest to montane rainforest.
Ecology:

Asian tapirs are browsers and grazers, feeding primarily on grasses, leaves, buds and fruits of low-growing shrubs. They can live up to 30 years. Females can start breeding at 3-4 years old. Gestation is usually 390-395 days and they normally give birth to one young (twins are very rare). Newborn tapirs look very different from the adults, with reddish-brown coats dappled with white spots and stripes, which provide them with excellent camouflage from predators. By eight months old they will have acquired the black and white colouring of the adults. Asian tapirs are mostly solitary animals, except during mating and when females are with their young.

Threats:

The main threat to this species is habitat loss. Large tracts of the habitat they require have been converted to oil palm plantations in Sumatra.
At Harapan Rainforest:

Harapan Rainforest is monitoring Asian tapirs by using camera traps and transects of field signs.

Interesting facts:

  • Asian tapirs have changed little in the last 20 million years.
  • The black and white colouring provides excellent camouflage by obscuring its outline.
  • Looking at the tapir's long snout you would assume it is a relative of the pig, when its closest relatives are actually the horse and rhinocerous.
  • They are excellent swimmers and can remain under water to escape predators.
  • They have four toes on the front feet and three on the back.