One of the most interesting and unique animals in the world is Tapir. A bright representative of unpairedly has similar features with a pig. Tapir in translation means “fat”. Most often you can meet animals in Asia and in South America. The area located near rivers and lakes, as well as marshy forests is considered favorable.
Description and features of tapirs
Modern animals have similarities, both from the horse and from the rhino. Tapirs have hooves and even a small mane, a unique upper lip that is extended into a proboscis. All representatives of this species have a stocky, powerful body, which is covered with a thick short fur. With the help of a kind of lip, tapirs skillfully capture aquatic plants, leaves, shoots. Distinctive features of animals are small eyes, sticking ears, chopped short tail. All this makes the representative of unpairedly cute, funny and disposable.
Surprisingly, such powerful at first glance animals swim perfectly and dive. They can hold their breath for a long time and escape from enemies in rivers and lakes.
Varieties of tapirs
Scientists say that about 13 types of tapirs have died out. Unfortunately, many animals are at risk of disappearance and today. The following types of tapirs are distinguished today:
Tapirs are quite friendly and peaceful animals that are amenable to domestication. Females among representatives of unpaired chopper larger than males. All tapirs have poor vision, which explains their slowness.
Reproduction of animals
Tapirs can mate at any time of the year. It is the female who shows interest in the partner, hinting at sexual intercourse. Watching marriage games is quite interesting, since the male can run after the chosen one for a very long time and perform bold “actions” to win her. Before you enter into sexual intercourse, animals make characteristic sounds. It can be a grunt, whistle, screech.
The pregnancy of the female lasts up to 14 months. During childbirth, the mother retires to a secluded place and prefers to be alone. As a rule, one or two cubs are born. Kids weigh no more than 9 kg and eat mother’s milk throughout the year. Only six months later, crumbs begin to acquire a color that is characteristic of their species. Puberty occurs by two years, sometimes by four.
Food
Herbivorous animals prefer to eat branches and shoots, leaves and kidneys, fruits, sometimes algae. Salt is the favorite treat. Very often tapirs eat chalk and clay. Trunk helps the animal get goodies.
