Head to head
Mountain Tapir vs Lowland Tapir
Mountain Tapir
VS Lowland Tapir
The mountain tapir and lowland tapir both live in South America, one high in the Andes and the other in the forests and wetlands east of them.
| Mountain Tapir | Lowland Tapir | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Tapirus pinchaque | Tapirus terrestris |
| Size | The smallest 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 |
| Coat | Thick, woolly fur that insulates it against the cold of the high Andes | A dark coat, with calves that are dark brown with white spots and stripes that fade by about six months |
| Habitat | Cloud forest and open high mountain grassland known as paramo, up to about 4,000 metres | Forest, wooded savanna, and wetlands east of the Andes |
| Range | The Andes of Colombia, Ecuador, and northern Peru | East of the Andes, from Colombia and Venezuela to northern Argentina |
| Diet | Leaves, shoots, and fruit, and high-altitude plants | Fruit, leaves, buds, shoots, and aquatic plants |
| Breeding | Not specifically documented | Breeds slowly, with one calf every two to three years |
| Conservation status | Endangered, with only a few thousand animals thought to remain | Vulnerable, with a decreasing population |
Mountain Tapir vs Lowland Tapir: common questions
Which tapir has a woolly coat?
The mountain tapir, which has thick, woolly fur that insulates it against the cold of the high Andes.
Which tapir is bigger?
The lowland tapir, which is the largest wild land animal in South America, while the mountain tapir is the smallest tapir.
Which tapir is more at risk?
The mountain tapir, which is Endangered, while the lowland tapir is Vulnerable.