10 interesting facts and features from the life of the black-backed tapir (11 photos)

This is the largest tapir of the entire family. Due to the presence of a proboscis, many have already “related” it to an elephant. In fact, the black-backed tapir is related to the horse, as its slender limbs clearly hint at. Our hero is not only incredibly handsome, but also smart. And there is a lot of evidence for this.





10. I am a merman, I am a merman!

The life of the “saddleback” is closely connected with bodies of water. He will never settle away from them. The tough guy will be able to find provisions here, but that’s not the main goal. The tapir is observant. He managed to notice that wild cats are not too fond of the water element. Considering the fact that tigers are one of the main enemies of the tapir, it becomes clear why he spends most of the day in the water. And, of course, it saves you from the heat.



If a tapir comes into your area, be understanding.

9. Mineral samples

The tapir's diet includes more than just vegetation. Although fruits, leaves and young shoots are an invaluable storehouse of essential substances. But they are not enough. Chepraka is constantly craving salty foods. He is ready to walk an impressive distance just to find the desired salt marsh. By the way, he has no problems with endurance. The black-backed tapir can compensate for the lack of salt with plankton and algae.





And it’s also a pleasure to treat yourself to chalk and clay.

8. Routine disinfection

The tapir has a rough and thick skin, in which various representatives of small gnats like to live. This does not affect health, but it reduces the quality of life. Therefore, our hero adapted to fall out in the mud. When the slurry dries, the pests will have no time for jokes, and the itching will stop. The tapir has established “business connections” with the aquatic inhabitants. As soon as he plunges his three hundredweight of weight into the water, all the fish will gather nearby.



In zoos, tapirs sleep soundly, but in the wild they sleep restlessly.

7. Light spot

Other types of tapirs go out to hunt only at night, but ours comes out at dusk. He can afford it! There is a solid white spot on the back of its body. It is difficult for a predator to determine the real shape of the animal in the dark: there is a mark - this is a fact. But where is everything that comes with it? Where's the head? Where, excuse me, is the croup? Which side should you approach from? While the predator is thinking and adjusting its sights, the tapir is already galloping across Europe, Malaysia, Sumatra and Thailand.



6. Acquired illness

Corneal clouding is common in saddlebacks. The eyes are small, especially in relation to the size and dimensions of the body. His vision is not of good quality, and he is also overcome by illness. But nature compensated for this with an excellent sense of smell. The animal's odor analyzer (or simply its nose) is elongated. The upper lip fused with it and slightly extended forward. This helps the saddleback determine the nutritional value of food and recognize the approach of predators.



5. Restless sweet tooth

Saddlebacks are respectful of sweets. With their help, they increase the “happiness hormone” and replenish energy costs. Having discovered a plantation of sugar cane or chocolate trees, the tapir will no longer be able to stop. He will eat everything he can get his hands on. And if he can’t, he will stand on his hind legs and pull up the treat with his trunk. Mangoes and delicious melons also fall under the destructive power of the hero of the story. Many farmers don't like this.



I just wanted to check the ripeness, but they drove me away.

4. Small company

Among all tapirs, the saddleback is the most sociable. But he is still a loner, and he really doesn’t like it when another adult tapir appears on his property. He will definitely show aggression and impressive strength. Saddlebacks even migrate one at a time! The maximum relaxation they can do is to move to an advantageous feeding position together with a temporary pair. But if a hungry year suddenly happens, the saddlecloths will unite into a small group. To survive, nothing personal!



At the same time, tapirs get along well with other guests, for example, orangutans.

3. Whistle from here to here

When a tapir encounters a competitor, it begins to whistle. In its normal state, the saddle blanket is silent. Even while running, he does not make a single sound. And here's a competitor! Not in order. Our hero is instantly transformed: calmness disappears, and ferocity comes in its place. At first it manifests itself with ringing whistling sounds. But soon the tapir generally switches to the “high notes” mode. By the way, the male uses this same conditioned signal to attract a female.



2. Matrimonial plans

The initiator of relationships among black-backed tapirs is always the “young lady.” She will hear her prince through whistling sounds. Tapirs do not have a special period to create a new social unit. The male is ready at any moment, but does not want to fight and achieve. Anyone who needs tapir pups will do the same. They say that decent ladies don't turn around when they whistle. And among tapirs, females also run as fast as they can. By the way, the courtship process is also on their conscience.



The photo shows a very young tapir. The white spot is still barely noticeable.

1. We waited a long time, we received it quickly

The female leaves the male only after she realizes that she is expecting an addition. She will carry the boy for a little over a year. Only one will be born, his mother will devote herself entirely to him. By the way, as you may have noticed, the color of baby tapirs is radically different - small white stripes, like a dotted line, along the entire length of the brown body. The reason is simple - so that the young man is difficult to notice. And he grows up like a hero - at 1.5-2 years he will become a complete copy of his parents.