Brazilian tapirs are a species of tapir from South America.
Brazilian tapir (Tapirus terrestris), Szeged Zoo.
Like their relatives the Malayan tapirs they do look kind if like a pig in spite of being more closely related to horses. Their face with the long prehensile snout looks comical to us humans.
Baby tapirs look even more piglike with their striped coloration — just like the young of wild boars.
A baby tapir in the Szeged Zoo.
Tapirs, just like their relatives the horses, are herbivorous.
All tapirs are threatened by poaching but the Brazilian tapir is probably the least likely to be in danger of extinction.
Further Readings:
South American tapir on Wikipedia.
Lowland tapir videos, photos and facts – Tapirus terrestris on ARKive.
Lowland tapir videos, photos and facts – Tapirus terrestris on ARKive.
Last updated: June 12, 2015