|
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) |
