Malayan Tapir

What is a Malayan Tapir?

• A Malayan Tapir is a mammal that’s relatives are the horse and rhinoceros.

• Malayans are incredibly endangered. There are less than 1,000 Malayan Tapirs left!!

• Malayan Tapirs are very interesting animals. You will love all of the interesting facts that I’m going to give to you!!

Why are Malayan tapirs Endangered??

• Malayan Tapirs are endangered because their skin feels like leather and people are killing them to get their skin.

• Tapirs are also endangered because in some places a sport is to kill Malayan Tapirs. If they catch a Malayan Tapir then they get a special medal.

How can we help Malayan Tapirs??

• We can help Malayan Tapirs by not buying any products that are made of animals.

• Another idea to help Tapirs are to join any wildlife environment program, like at zoos and near ponds or lakes and rivers.

The Malayan’s Body• Malayans have a incredible small mouth.• The Malayan Tapir has a long snout that feels like rubber.• Malayans have a brown mane on their back that is short

and stiff.• The Malayan Tapir has a very short tail,in fact it’s tail is

only 5-10 centimeters long!• Malayans have four toes on their front foot and three toes

on their back feet!!• The Malayan Tapirs are the size of a donkey!!• Malayans are actually very fast at running away from

other enemies.

Habitat

• Most of the Tapirs live in Central and South America.

• They also live in Burma and Thailand.• Tapirs usually live in places with lots of supply of

water,like near rivers and swamps.• Malayan Tapirs also live in some exhibits like The

Trail of Vines.• Tapirs spend most of their time under water!

Diet

• Malayan Tapirs are herbivores.

• Tapirs eat leaves and lettuce patches.

• Malayan Tapirs are aquatic vegetarians.

• If Malayan Tapirs live in the zoo they eat alfalfa and oat hay.

Birthing

• Malayan Tapirs birth between May-June.• Malayans usually only have one baby per

couple!• Malayan Tapir babies only stay with their

parents for about 390-403 days!• Some people call baby Malayan Tapirs

“watermelons with legs” because they have white and yellow spots and stripes.

Special Details

• The record for the heaviest Malayan Tapir weighed 1,190 pounds!!

• Malayan Tapirs have changed little in appearance in the last 20 million years!!

• Malayan Tapir means “near India”!!

• The paper craft model of the Malayan Tapir is believed to eat peoples nightmares!