Animal Name: Bairds Tapir

Scientific Name: Tapirus bairdii

Description: Tapirs are bulky, grayish brown with a large patch of cream on its throat, chest, and face. It is the largest tropical mammal with a rubbery snout. The Bairds tapir is also called the "mountain cow."

Length: 1.9-2.0 meters

Weight: 150-300 lb.

Where it lives: Tapirs live in swampy hills throughout Honduras, Central America, Columbia, and Equador (west of the Andes.)

Does it live in a pack or group? No, tapirs are solitary except for the mother and her young.

Reproduction: Tapirs give birth to one baby every eight months. The baby tapirs mature at 2-3 years of age.

Diet: They eat cane grass, shrubs, aquatic vegetation, and leaves.

Why is it endangered? Tapirs are hunted for food and sport. Their thick skins are used for whips and bridles, but their greatest danger is loss of habitat.

Fun Facts: Tapirs are excellent swimmers, climbers, and runners.