Endemic to South and Central America, the Tapir is a herbivore species inhabiting rainforests, grasslands habitats. Weighing 150–400 kg, it is classified as Vulnerable.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| Metric | Tapir | Herbivore Mammals Median | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 275 kg | 117.3 kg | ↑ 135% |
| Height | 95 cm | — | — |
| Top Speed | 48 km/h | 40 km/h | ↑ 20% |
| Avg Speed | 48 km/h | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Tapir inhabits rainforests, grasslands habitats. It can be found in South and Central America.
Typical coloring: Brown, Black.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Tapir is a solitary species belonging to the Tapiridae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
VU The Tapir is classified as Vulnerable. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 50 herbivore mammals, the Tapir’s weight of 150–400 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 117.3 kg.
Weight rank: #13 of 34 Vulnerable species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sperm Whale | Up to 57000 kg | VU |
| 2 | African Elephant | 2700–6000 kg | VU |
| 3 | Great White Shark | Up to 2268 kg | VU |
| 4 | Hippopotamus | 1300–3200 kg | VU |
| 5 | Gaur | 600–1300 kg | VU |
Related Species
How much does a Tapir weigh?
A Tapir typically weighs 150–400 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 117.3 kg among herbivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Tapir?
The Tapir is classified as “Vulnerable”. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Tapir live?
The Tapir is found in South and Central America, in rainforests, grasslands habitats.
How does the Tapir reproduce?
The Tapir has a gestation period of 390–395 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026