Head to head
Malayan Tapir vs Lowland Tapir
Malayan Tapir
VS Lowland Tapir
The Malayan tapir and lowland tapir are two of the four living tapirs, big, flexible-snouted browsers of tropical forest, but one lives in Southeast Asia and the other in South America.
| Malayan Tapir | Lowland Tapir | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Tapirus indicus | Tapirus terrestris |
| Region | Rainforest in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, and Myanmar | Forest, wooded savanna, and wetlands east of the Andes across tropical South America |
| Size | The largest of the four tapir species | Between 1.8 and 2.5 m long and 150 to 320 kg, the largest wild land animal in South America |
| Colour | A black body with a pale saddle of white or grey over the back and hindquarters | A dark coat, with calves that are dark brown with white spots and stripes that fade by about six months |
| Snout | A short, flexible trunk-like snout used to grasp leaves and twigs | A short, flexible trunk formed from the nose and upper lip, used to grip leaves and fruit and as a snorkel when swimming |
| Water | Swims and wades well, and uses water to cool off and to escape danger | Swims and dives well, walks along stream bottoms, and wallows to cool off and shed parasites |
| Diet | Leaves, twigs, fruit, and aquatic plants | Fruit, leaves, buds, shoots, and aquatic plants, and a major seed disperser |
| Conservation status | Endangered, with a decreasing population | Vulnerable, with a decreasing population |
Malayan Tapir vs Lowland Tapir: common questions
Which tapir lives in Asia?
The Malayan tapir, the only tapir found outside the Americas and the largest of the four species.
Why is the Malayan tapir black and white?
Its black body with a pale saddle breaks up its outline, which helps hide it in dim forest light.
Where do the Malayan and lowland tapirs live?
The Malayan tapir lives in rainforest in Sumatra, the Malay Peninsula, Thailand, and Myanmar, while the lowland tapir lives east of the Andes across tropical South America.