Tapirs are large browsing mammals, roughly pig-like in shape, with short, prehensile trunks. They inhabit jungle and forest regions of South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia. All four species of tapir are classified as endangered or vulnerable. Their closest relatives are the other odd-toed ungulates, horses and rhinoceroses.

Species

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There are four tapir species:

• Baird's Tapir, Tapirus bairdii
• Malayan Tapir, Tapirus indicus
• Mountain Tapir, Tapirus pinchaque
• Brazilian Tapir (also called Lowland Tapir), Tapirus terrestris

Hybrids

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Hybrid tapirs from the Baird's Tapir and the Brazilian Tapir were bred at the San Francisco Zoo around 1968 and produced a second generation around 1970.Pictures of T. bairdii x T. terrestris cross taken by Sheryl Todd, The Tapir Gallery, web site of the Tapir Preservation Fund

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