THE AMERICAN TAPIR 



(Tapirus americanus] 



THE Common Tapir of South America is the best known of the small 

 family of hoofed animals it represents, and, as all are very uniform in 

 general appearance and habits, may be taken as a type of Tapirs in 

 general. There is something curiously old-world and unfinished about 

 the appearance of the creature, as if it had failed to complete its 

 evolution something recalling both a Pig and a Pony, while the 

 short trunk suggests an abortive attempt at an Elephant. This little 

 trunk is freely movable, and is used to grasp the herbage on which 

 the creature feeds ; when turned up it gives a most comical sneering 

 expression to its owner. In size the Tapir about equals a stout Pony. 



The teeth show incisors, canines, and grinders all well developed, 

 and the limbs have four hoofs on the fore feet and three on the hind ; 

 the animal, however, like the Rhinoceros, does not rest entirely on 

 these hoofs, but also on a pad under the base of the toes. The tail 

 is almost as short and insignificant as a Bear's. 



The coat, which is short, is so scanty that it allows the skin to 

 be seen ; but on the neck it forms a standing mane. The colour of 

 the young animal is very different from the uniform brown of its 

 parents ; it is very dark, and gaily variegated with cream-coloured 

 longitudinal stripes, alternating with rows of spots of the same tint, 

 and as the fur is very close, the little creature looks for all the world 

 like some painted toy animal. At this stage it is only about as big 

 as a Terrier. Only one young one is born at a time, and it is lively 

 and active, according to the universal rule among hoofed animals. 



The Tapir is essentially a forest animal, confined to the wooded 

 parts of South America. 



It is usually found solitary or in pairs, and frequents the water- 

 side, for, though not exactly aquatic, it is very fond of water, and 



it. 



