Each April 27 He commemorated World Tapir Day ((World Tapir Day), A day dedicated to increase awareness about the preservation of this unique and endangered mammal. This date was determined in 2008 by activists and scientists who were concerned about the fate of the four types of tapirs currently existing in the world.
Curiosa about the Tapir
The tires are known as “Forest Gardens“Because of their important role in seed dispersion and the maintenance of ecosystems. Although they are often confused with pigs or helmet trucks, they are more related to rhinos and horses.
There are four types of tapir: the Tapir de Baird (Midden -Arikika), the Amazon Tapir (South America), the Andes of Mountain Tapir (Andes) and the Malays Tapir (Asia). The latter is the largest, with a weight of up to 300 kg.
Donate April 27 It is the World Tapir 2025 DayA date that is commemorated every year to remind the whole world for the serious danger that these unique herbivores are because of human activities that end their habitat.
This mammal, with a mini -elephant tube and resembles a pig, has nothing to do with it. It is one next to the family member of the horse and the rhino. Under the genre of the family TapiridaeThere are different types. Tapir is the only animal that is part of the family Tapiridaeconsisting of five different types.
“Classic” Tapirs
Four of them are known to the scientific community for many years. There are people who live in South America: Midden -American Tapir (Tapirus) of brown and short coat, ground tapir (Tapirus terrestrial) that of his peers is distinguished by the presence of a thick brown hair. And mountain or Andes Tapir (Tapirus pinchaque), that is the only one who has a woolen fleece to protect himself against the cold against the heights where he has put his home. The Malay or Black Lomo Tapir (Tapirus Indicus) is the only species that lives in the Asian continent (southeast of Asia) and is characterized by its black -white fur.
The Little Black Tapir
Although the natives were already aware of the existence of this animal, it was only in 2013 that scientists could thoroughly study this child and recognize it as a kind of themselves (Tapirus Club). It is present in some parts of Brazil, as well as in Colombia and Zuid -Guyana. And it is the smallest size of all tapirs, with an average weight of 110 kg.
Tapir Biology
Whatever the species, the way of life, the eating habits and the form of reproduction of the Tapir do not vary. It is a lonely and discreet animal, of nocturnal habits, which starts to be active in the afternoon and uses the day to hide and rest.
Your diet
Only vegetarian, feeds on seeds, seedlings and fruit that can easily gather with its forecast Proboscis. Thanks to that diet and the droppings of the seeds that swallow it, forests, forests, have something very useful for nature.
Waterways have different functions for the tapirs, so they rarely get rid of them. In addition to cooling, these Fornid animals immerse themselves to get rid of the parasites in their skin. And even to flee jaguar“ His natural predator. Their Proboscis enables them to stay under water for a long time, because they use ‘snorkel’.
Slow reproduction
Until they reach an age between 3 and 5 years, individuals are unable to reproduce. And although there is no specific breeding time, the pregnancy period is quite long: 13 months. Females can give birth around every two years. All Baby -Tapirs of different species have the same physical appearance. From birth to the sixth month they wear a reddish brown striped coat with white spots.
World Tapir 2025: in danger
Of the 5 types of tapirs that exist, 4 are listed on the IUCN -Rode list as threatened. Three threaten extinction:
- Tapir
- Andes Tapir
- Midden -American Tapir
Although the Amazon Tapir is mentioned as vulnerable and the Black Tapir, although data is not known, it is assumed that there are not many copies.
Deforestation is one of the most important threats for these peaceful animals. But they also collapse because of the contamination of the waters of the rivers that they also depend, are the victims of poaching, because they are protected and accident types, both when crossing roads, and when they fall into falls that were not for them.