Habitat Brazilian tapirs prefer tropical montane forests, but are also present in swamps and lowland forests. It can be found from sea level up to 4500 meters in elevation. They are adept mountain climbers and sometimes create paths to larger bodies of water. They prefer to live close to water, especially rivers, and are comfortable swimmers. The highest population densities are found in areas with lush vegetation and 2,000 to 4,000 mm of rainfall per year. (Eisenberg and Hubbard Redford, 1999; Husson, 1978; Padilla and Dowler, 1994) Habitat Regions

tropical

terrestrial Terrestrial Biomes

forest

rainforest

mountains Wetlands

swamp Other Habitat Features

riparian Range elevation 0 to 4500 m 0.00 to 14763.78 ft

Behavior Brazilian tapirs are typically solitary, and although they are not exclusively nocturnal, they tend to keep to the shelter of the forest during the day and come out to feed at night. They are often seen in pairs during mating season and when females travel with offspring. Brazilian tapirs have limited eyesight, but strong olfactory perception. Although they are usually shy, they are aggressive while competing for mates or defending territories. (Eisenberg and Hubbard Redford, 1999; Padilla and Dowler, 1994; Wilson and Reeder, 2005) Key Behaviors

terricolous

motile

sedentary

solitary Home Range There is no information available regarding the home ranges of Brazilian tapirs.

Food Habits Brazilian tapirs browse at night, eating fruit, leaves, and other plant material. Preferred forage plants include mombins, which produces fruit similar to large plums; huito, which produces large berry-like fruit; and moriche palm, which produces palm fruit. (Nowak, 1999) Primary Diet

herbivore folivore frugivore

Plant Foods

leaves

wood, bark, or stems

seeds, grains, and nuts

fruit

Predation Other than humans, the tapir’s main predator is the jaguar. They are sometimes taken by crocodylians. When alarmed by predators, tapirs flee to water or the nearest brush. If cornered, however, a tapir runs directly at its predator. Its semi-nocturnal tendencies may help decrease risk of predation. (Padilla and Dowler, 1994) Known Predators jaguar (Panthera onca) humans (Homo sapiens)



Ecosystem Roles Brazilian tapirs are browsers and grazers. They are exceptionally common in certain area of their geographic range and make up a significant portion of the total biomass in these communities. They are frugivorous and are potential seed dispersers of many important fruit trees throughout their geographic range. Their digestion generally leaves ingested seeds undamaged, as is the case with fruit from assai palms and epena. Brazilian tapirs are host to a number of parasites including several species of ticks (Haemophysalis juxtakochi and Amblyomma ovale), numerous species of ciliated protozoa (Buisonella tapiri, Blepharocorys cardionucleata, Balantidium coli, and Prototapirella intestinalis), and roundworms (Neomurshidia monostichia and Physocephalas nitidulans). Burrowing mites sometimes cause sarcoptic mange. (Eisenberg and Hubbard Redford, 1999; Padilla and Dowler, 1994) Ecosystem Impact

disperses seeds Commensal/Parasitic Species

hard ticks, ( Haemophysalis juxtakochi )

) hard ticks, (Amblyomma ovale)

ciliated protozoa, ( Buisonella tapiri )

) ciliated protozoa, ( Blepharocorys cardionucleata )

) ciliated protozoa, ( Balantidium coli )

) ciliated protozoa, ( Prototapirella intestinalis )

) roundworms, ( Neomurshidia monostichia )

) roundworms, ( Physocephalas nitidulans )

) burrowing mites, (Sarcoptes scabiei)

Economic Importance for Humans: Positive Brazilian tapirs are hunted for hide and meat, providing a significant amount of protein to the diets of various rural populations. They have been domesticated in Brazil and taught to pull plows and allow children to ride them. They are also kept in numerous zoos across the globe. (Padilla and Dowler, 1994) Positive Impacts

food

body parts are source of valuable material

Economic Importance for Humans: Negative There are no known adverse effects of Tapirus terrestris on humans.

Conservation Status Tapirus terrestris is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN's Red List of Threatened Species. Although more studies are needed to determine current population densities and trends, it is widely thought that T. terrestris is declining throughout its geographic range. Major threats include over hunting, competition with livestock, and habitat loss through deforestation. It occurs in numerous protected areas throughout its range, and although it is legally protected from hunting, these laws are rarely enforced and have proven ineffective. The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) lists T. terrestris under Appendix II, and the species is listed as Endangered by the United States Fish & Wildlife Service. (Naveda, et al., 2010.4) IUCN Red List Vulnerable

More information

IUCN Red List Vulnerable

More information

US Federal List Endangered

CITES Appendix II

State of Michigan List No special status

Contributors Samantha Luxenberg (author), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, Phil Myers (editor), University of Michigan-Ann Arbor, John Berini (editor), Animal Diversity Web Staff.

Glossary Neotropical living in the southern part of the New World. In other words, Central and South America. acoustic uses sound to communicate bilateral symmetry having body symmetry such that the animal can be divided in one plane into two mirror-image halves. Animals with bilateral symmetry have dorsal and ventral sides, as well as anterior and posterior ends. Synapomorphy of the Bilateria. chemical uses smells or other chemicals to communicate endothermic animals that use metabolically generated heat to regulate body temperature independently of ambient temperature. Endothermy is a synapomorphy of the Mammalia, although it may have arisen in a (now extinct) synapsid ancestor; the fossil record does not distinguish these possibilities. Convergent in birds. female parental care parental care is carried out by females fertilization union of egg and spermatozoan folivore an animal that mainly eats leaves. food A substance that provides both nutrients and energy to a living thing. forest forest biomes are dominated by trees, otherwise forest biomes can vary widely in amount of precipitation and seasonality. frugivore an animal that mainly eats fruit herbivore An animal that eats mainly plants or parts of plants. iteroparous offspring are produced in more than one group (litters, clutches, etc.) and across multiple seasons (or other periods hospitable to reproduction). Iteroparous animals must, by definition, survive over multiple seasons (or periodic condition changes). motile having the capacity to move from one place to another. mountains This terrestrial biome includes summits of high mountains, either without vegetation or covered by low, tundra-like vegetation. native range the area in which the animal is naturally found, the region in which it is endemic. pheromones chemicals released into air or water that are detected by and responded to by other animals of the same species rainforest rainforests, both temperate and tropical, are dominated by trees often forming a closed canopy with little light reaching the ground. Epiphytes and climbing plants are also abundant. Precipitation is typically not limiting, but may be somewhat seasonal. riparian Referring to something living or located adjacent to a waterbody (usually, but not always, a river or stream). scent marks communicates by producing scents from special gland(s) and placing them on a surface whether others can smell or taste them sedentary remains in the same area sexual reproduction that includes combining the genetic contribution of two individuals, a male and a female solitary lives alone swamp a wetland area that may be permanently or intermittently covered in water, often dominated by woody vegetation. tactile uses touch to communicate terrestrial Living on the ground. tropical the region of the earth that surrounds the equator, from 23.5 degrees north to 23.5 degrees south. visual uses sight to communicate viviparous reproduction in which fertilization and development take place within the female body and the developing embryo derives nourishment from the female. year-round breeding breeding takes place throughout the year young precocial young are relatively well-developed when born