Amazonian (Brazilian or Lowland) Tapir (Tapirus terrestris) Classification: Class: Mammalia, Order: Perrisodactyla, Family: Tapiridae, Genus: Tapirus, Species: terrestris
IUCN Status: Near-threatened

Weighing in between 350 and 600 pounds, the Amazonian Tapir is one of the largest land mammals in South America. They have plump bodies, stout necks, short tails, large ears, and short trunks for lifting food into their mouths. They have a “Mohawk”-like strip of hair running across a ridge on the back of their necks. When Amazonian Tapirs are born, they have spotted or striped coats, which turn to a dark tan or brown color as they mature. Their feet are wide, which helps them navigate through slick ground. To detect and avoid predators, they have adapted excellent senses of hearing and smell.

Tapirs prefer to be close to water sources, but otherwise they can survive in a wide variety of habitats east of the Andes. They are solitary, reclusive, and strongly nocturnal; thus, spotting them in the wild is rare. They feed on herbaceous vegetation and fruits and seem to especially like bananas. They swim well and often feed on aquatic plants.

Due to their size, they are hunted by many cat species, alligators, and humans. They are quite defenseless, particularly when young. Their slow reproductive rates make them particularly vulnerable to over-hunting. Habitat loss is also responsible for this species' recent decline.

(http://www.rainforest-alliance.org/resources/forest-facts/species-profiles/tapir.html)

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