Malayan tapir
Did you know?
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.
NEWS: We have a tapir calf! Born July 12, he is doing great, and so is mom Yuna.
Discover Tapirs
Meet our tapirs
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Eating
(and predators!)
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Tapirs are herbivores: they eat tender leaves, shoots and fruit from various plants.
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Their main predators are humans, who hunt them for meat, and tigers.
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Born dotty
to blend in.
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After a 13-14 month gestation period, females give birth to a single calf.
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A tapir calf is born with extra rows of white dots (like a watermelon) to help it blend with its surroundings.
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Climbing, galloping
and a snorkel nose.
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Tapirs are mostly nocturnal and often solitary, though they sometimes live in pairs. They are good climbers, runners and swimmers.
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Long and flexible, a tapir's nose is used for grabbing leaves while foraging, and even as a snorkel while swimming!
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Protecting tapirs
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.
Jungle Stories
We’re all feeling the cold right about now in the Pacific Northwest – and the rest of the country too. But here at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium, our animals have some pretty cool ways to deal with it. From fur coats to heated hammocks, here are five ways our animals beat the winter cold. … Continued
What would you ask Santa for these holidays if you were a walrus? Or a tiger? Of course we can’t know what our animals are thinking, but we can definitely make some fun guesses based on what they enjoy doing or eating! Here’s a Zoo wish-list for Santa from some of our animals. Let’s hope … Continued
When you think ‘edible gardening,’ you usually don’t imagine growing banana trees for elephants. But Bryon Jones does. The lead horticulturalist at Point Defiance Zoo & Aquarium has created an entire garden devoted to plants that zoo animals can munch, nibble or chew. It’s usually hidden from public view. But on this Sunday’s free garden … Continued