Tapirs are rare and endangered mammals related to rhinos and horses. They have a prehensile nose, a striped hide, and a vital role in tropical ecosystems. Learn about the four species of tapir, their habitats, threats, and how to help them. Tapir, (genus Tapirus), any of five species of hoofed mammals, the only extant members of the family Tapiridae (order Perissodactyla), found in tropical forests of Malaysia and the New World. Tapir Behaviour Tapirs are nocturnal and crepuscular animals except the Mountain Tapir which is more diurnal, active during the day. Tapirs spend most of their day underwater, using their snouts like snorkels, to keep cool in their hot forest environment and also to avoid predators. Tapirs are surprisingly agile swimmers given their size. Tapirs are also able to sink to the riverbed and walk along the bottom, just like rhinos can. When submerged, they allow small fish to pick parasites of ... Tapir (pronounced as in "taper," or IPA "təˈpɪər," pronounced as in "tap-ear") are large, browsing, mammals with short, prehensile snouts comprising the Tapridae family of the odd-toed ungulates (Perissodactyla order). Although pig -like in appearance, their closest existing relatives are the horses and rhinoceroses. There are four extant (living) species, all within the Tapirus genus: Baird's tapir (Tapirus bairdii), Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), mountain tapir (Tapirus pinchaque ...
