Malayan Tapir
Tapirus indicus |
 Appearance
The Malayan tapir differs from
other tapirs in its striking grayish-black and white
coloration. It also has a longer, stronger trunk than
the tapirs from South America. Body: 2.5 m (8 1/4
ft), tail: 5 - 10 cm (2 - 4 in) |
Description
It swims well and if alarmed,
makes for water. |
Regions
S.E. Asia: Burma to Malaysia,
Sumatra in humid, swampy forest |
Diet
A shy, solitary animal, it is
active only at night, when it feeds on aquatic vegetation
and the leaves, buds and fruit of low-growing land
plants. |
Breeding
The female gives birth to a
single young after a gestation of about 395 days.
The body of the young tapir is patterned with camouflaging
stripes and spots, which disappear at about 6 to 8
months. Malayan tapirs have been badly affected by
the destruction of large areas of forest and the changes
wrought by human settlement and are now extremely
rare. |
 Status
Wildlife Preservation of Thailand,
Wildlife Preservation and Protection Act 1992 |
Conservation Status
ENDANGERED A2c+3c+4c
(See explanation to
IUCN
Red List Categories) |
Cites
(See CITES
Appendices
I & II;
Appendix
III) |
