South American Tapir

The South American tapir, also commonly called the Brazilian tapir, the Amazonian tapir, the maned tapir, the lowland tapir, anta, and la sachavaca, is one of the four recognized species in the tapir family. It is the largest surviving native terrestrial mammal in the Amazon, with a body length of 1.8 to 2.5 m (5 ft 11 in to 8 ft 2 in) with a 5 to 10 cm (2.0 to 3.9 in) short stubby tail and an average weight around 225 kg (496 lb). Adult weight has been reported ranging from 150 to 320 kg (330 to 710 lb). The Brazilian tapir is more abundant than the other three species of tapir, but it is still considered vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN Red List. One reason for the decrease in population is that Brazilian tapirs are hunted for their meat and hide. Furthermore, their habitat is being destroyed by deforestation and agricultural development.