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Tapir, Malayan
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Genus
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Tapirus
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Species
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indicus
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Status
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Endangered
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Habitat
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Forests, at riverbanks and lakes.
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Distribution
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Myanmar (Burma), Thailand, Malay Peninsula and Sumatra
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Appearance
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Length of 6 feet with a shoulder height of 3.5 feet; weight can reach as much as 600
pounds. Primarily black but with a white section on back and flank providing camouflage in moonlight. There are 4 toes on the front feet and 3 on the rear which are enclosed in hooves like on a horse. There is little hair on a thick skin. It's snout is long like a short trunk.
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Behavior
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Nocturnal and solitary keeping to thick cover and water. Excellent swimmer. Generally harmless but can be ferocious if provoked. Gentle and tame when in captivity.
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Diet
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Herbivorous. Eats tree shoots, water foliage and succulent herbs.
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Gestation
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390 to 395 days
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No. of Young
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1 to 2
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Lifespan
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30 years
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Conservation
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Endangered due to habitat destruction. The forests where this animal is found are being cleared for logging and for agricultral purposes. The tapir is hunted for food, sport and its thick skin which makes a fine leather.
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Interesting Facts
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The black and white patterned tapir is the largest of the four species of tapirs, and the only tapir in the Old World. Tapirs are among the most primitive herbivores, dating back 20 million years, to when it roamed the northern hemisphere. The tapir is most closely related to the horse and rhinocerous.
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Images and Video Clips
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Sound Snippet
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1) Sqealing
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Animal Communication Panel
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