Tapir of Malaysia

The tapirus indicus , also called to tapir of Malaysia , to tapir of Asia or to tapir with chabraque is one of the four representatives of the Tapir S.

Physical description

It is easily différenciable of its congeneric with its large white spot on the back and the sides. If not it is entirely black, except for the end of the ears which is white.

It can measure between 1,8 to 2,4 meters length for a height from 90 to 107 centimetres. Its weight can go from 250 to 320 kilograms. That made of him largest of the four species tapir. The female is generally taller than the male.

Life cycle

The Gestation of the female lasts approximately 400 days and gives only one small, of a weight of approximately 6,8 kilograms. As at all the tapirs, the small one is covered with stripes during its childhood, its coloring so particular appears in the eighth month.

Sexual maturity is reached at three years. The period of coupling proceeds during May, April and June. The females generally have a range every two years.

In nature, its life expectancy is 30 years, the double in captivity.

Habitat

Like all the tapirs, its habitat of predilection is the thick forest. To tapir indicus lives exclusively in Southeast Asia, including the Burma, the Kampuchea, the Indonesia, the Laos, the Malaysia, the island of Sumatra, the Thailand and the Vietnam.

Predatory and vulnerability

Being in countries with Moslem majority, it is driven out very little because it resembles a Porc. Its predatory natural is the tiger and the panther.

However, the red Liste of the UICN regards it as vulnerable because of the deforestation which upsets its natural habitat.

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