The Probert Encyclopaedia of Nature

TAPIR

Tapir is the name of four species of ungulate or hoofed animals forming the family Tapiridae. The nose resembles a short fleshy proboscis. There are four toes to the fore- feet and three to the hind-feet. The body is bulky and clumsy and the legs short. The animals are always found in forest regions, in the vicinity of water, and are nocturnal in their habits and shy and inoffensive. The Malaysian Tapir (Tapirus indicus) is the largest of the species of tapir, and is endangered - due to the destruction of its forest habitat - and found in south-east Asia where it lives in dense tropical forests close to water feeding on shoots, twigs and aquatic plants. The Malaysian tapir is black, with a large expanse of white extending from behind the front legs, over the back and sides to the top of the rump.
Tapirs are related to the horse and rhinoceros, but are believed by many to be related to pigs, probably because of their appearance, and as such are not hunted for food by Muslim natives.
Research Tapir