2nd June 2009

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The secret world of tapirs, revealed

Scientists have discovered new facts about tapirs, says yesterday’s New York Times, southeast Asian jungle animals described as “ponderous, powerful herbivores, weighing about 650 pounds” with “incessantly sniffing” anteater-like snouts.

Biologist Carl Traeholt and behavioral ecologist Boyd Simpson have, through exhaustive recent research and tracking, found that tapirs…

1. can be indentified by unique wrinkles on their necks.
2. will travel up to three miles a night in search of salty mineral deposits they like to lick, despite normally having a rather small home range.
3. are much more endangered than previously assumed, numbering only 1500 to 2000 in Malaysia and perhaps 300 in Thailand. (Previous estimates, says Dr. Traeholt, were “way off reality” and would have resulted in “a traffic jam of tapirs.”)
4. will occasionally defend their companions, though they are nonviolent.
5. are equipped with canine-like teeth unusual in herbivores.
6. poop neatly in streams.

Tapirs are still targets for poachers but, some good news,  Dr. Traeholt “is confident that [tapir] habitat in Malaysia and Thailand is now stable.” He hopes to create “a conservative plan backed by ecology” to further slow the loss of the jungle beasts.

Tags tapirsscientistsdiscoveries

30th April 2009

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This tapir timed his arrival

The Noah’s Ark zoo farm in Wraxhall, England, celebrated the birth of a Brazilian tapir on Saturday - just in time for Monday’s World Tapir Day.

The tiny, striped beast was born to parents Tara and Toby. Keeper Samantha Cordrey tells the London Times, “Tapirs are shy but can be very affectionate. They love having their chins licked.”

The baby tapir’s birth was captured on a web cam installed in Tara’s pen. Keeper Chris Wilkinson tells the BBC that the “slightly dazed” animal “was on his feet in minutes and is feeding well.”

Brazilian tapirs make their home in the Amazonian basin. They are endangered herbivores who grow to some 500 lbs. They are also excllent swimmers who can use their snouts as snorkels.

Tags tapirsbaby animals