The tapir is a herbivorous mammal found in tropical regions of South America, Central America and Asia. It resembles a pig with a short trunk but is actually related to rhinoceroses and horses. Tapirs first appeared during the Eocene, approximately 50 million years ago, and survive today.
Tapirs belong to an ancient lineage that scientists believe has changed relatively little over tens of millions of years. A tapir has a short, prehensile trunk formed by its elongated nose and upper lip. It uses this trunk to grasp branches, strip leaves and pluck fruit. Tapirs feed in the morning and evening, moving through vegetation along tunnel-like trails made by other tapirs to reach water sources and areas with abundant vegetation. The largest living tapir species, the Malayan tapir, can reach 2.5 metres in length and 250 kg in body mass.
Despite their robust build, tapirs are at ease near water and often bathe to cool off. They are excellent swimmers and can even dive to feed on aquatic plants.
Several kinds of tapir lived in Florida during the Pleistocene, closely resembling species alive today. Their molars are relatively easy to identify by their distinctive ridges and low crowns, features associated with a herbivorous diet.
