Page 54 - World of Animals - Issue #39

Tapirs

BELOW Tapirs can be found in South
America and Asia, but they are always
found near water to cool down in

Living a double life

Tapirs are adapted to life both on land and in water
Tapirs seem perfectly at home on land, Tapirs may spend long periods of time
but these animals have adaptations for life walking through soft river mud. To protect
in water too. The tapir’s eyes and ears are these heavy animals from sinking, the tapir
situated near the top of the head – perfect ‘hoof’ has widened and become partly
for keeping an eye out for predators while webbed. This provides a much greater surface
swimming. The snout has developed into a area, supporting the tapir on soft ground.
highly mobile trunk, which can be used as a In warm weather, tapirs may seek shelter
snorkel when in the water. Even the tapir’s against the heat by bathing in streams and
coat is waterproof: the skin secretes a waxy rivers. Tapirs can even feed while bathing.
grey substance that helps to repel water. Grasses and reeds on riverbanks may be
When necessary, tapirs may submerge for taken in addition to river weeds, and these
several minutes below the surface, allowing ungulates may use their trunks to drag out-of-
them to escape from threats. reach foliage toward their mouths.

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