Tapir: Malayan tapir at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium Asian Forest Sanctuary

Did you know?

Tapirus indicus

Tapirs may look quiet, but they make a lot of noise! When excited (especially by another tapir) they make sneezing hiccups, high-pitched squeals and ear-piercing whistles.

Discover Tapirs

Habitat

Wild and Zoo

Around 6-8 feet long and 3 feet tall, Malayan tapirs live in the dense tropical rainforests of southern Burma, Malay Peninsula, southeast Thailand and Sumatra. Find them in the Asian Forest Sanctuary.

Asian Forest Sanctuary

Meet the keepers

(Hear tapir tales.)

Keepers in our Asian Forest Sanctuary give a chat daily. Ask questions about each animal, and find out how our zoo team feeds and cares for them.

Zookeeper Life: Sam

Daily Presentations

Meet our tapirs

Baku

Yuna

Kazu

Eating (and predators!)	Tapirs are herbivores: they eat tender leaves, shoots and fruit from various plants.	Their main predators are humans, who hunt them for meat, and tigers.
Born dotty to blend in.	After a 13-14 month gestation period, females give birth to a single calf.	A tapir calf is born with extra rows of white dots (like a watermelon) to help it blend with its surroundings.
Climbing, galloping and a snorkel nose.	Tapirs are mostly nocturnal and often solitary, though they sometimes live in pairs. They are good climbers, runners and swimmers.	Long and flexible, a tapir's nose is used for grabbing leaves while foraging, and even as a snorkel while swimming!

Protecting tapirs

Losing their home.

THE THREAT: These rare mammals are living fossils – they’ve been around since the Eocene age, superbly adapted for forest survival. Now, however, they are endangered. Their forest is disappearing, thanks to human roads, farms and logging. They’re also poached for their meat.

TAKE ACTION: Much of southeast Asia’s rainforest destruction is to make room for palm oil plantations. Check products you use for sustainable palm oil, and encourage companies to make the switch. Send a letter, email or tweet, and download a Palm Oil Shopping App.

Take Action

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