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 ... The South American tapir can be found near water in the Amazon Rainforest and River Basin in South America, east of the Andes. Its geographic range stretches from Venezuela, Colombia, and the Guianas in the north to Brazil, Argentina, and Paraguay in the south, to Bolivia, Peru, and Ecuador in the west. [17] On rare occasions, waifs have crossed the narrow sea channel from Venezuela to the southern coast of the island of Trinidad (but no breeding population exists there). Tapirus kabomani is ... 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. The only tapir found in Asia, this species is easily recognizable by its black-and-white coloration, similar to a panda. It inhabits Thailand, Malaysia, Sumatra, and Myanmar, preferring dense forests and swamps.
