Tapirs are a large, herbivorous, mammal similar in shape to a pig with a short prehensile snout. Tapirs inhabit jungle and forest areas in regions of South America, Central America and Southeast Asia. There are four main species of tapir such as the Malayan, Baird's, Mountain and Brazillian. Their closest relatives are horses and rhinoceroses.
Sizes vary between different species but are generally about 2 meters long or 7 feet, stand about a meter high at the shoulder or 3 feet. They can weigh 150-300 kilograms or 330-700 pounds.
All species of tapirs have oval, white-tipped ears, stubby tails and splayed, hoofed toes. They have four toes on the front and three on the back. This helps them walk on the soft, muddy ground. Baby tapirs have a wide variety of spots and stripes to aid in camouflage.
The proboscis of the tapir is highly flexible, allowing it to grasp leaves or foliage normally out of reach of the tapir.
The natural lifespan of the tapir is 25-30 years, both in the wild and zoos.
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