THE SOUTH AMERICAN TAPIR 125 
anecei as the representative of the only Family of odd-toed 
Ungulates existing on this continent. It takes kindly to 
captivity, grows rapidly, and always manages to look well- 
fed, and as sleek asa seal. Its color is a rich mahogany brown, 
its head is long and triangular, and its long, prehensile nose, 
ever soliciting something to eat, is strongly suggestive of the 
end of an elephant’s trunk. The shoulder height of a full- 
grown animal is about 37 inches. 
The species best known to the world inhabits Venezuela, 
the Guianas, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay and the northern por- 
tion of the Argentine Republic. Although tapirs are usually 
found along small and well-shaded rivers in the hot lowlands 
of the tropics, they are also frequently found on forest-covered 
mountains. They are exceedingly shy and wary, and under 
all circumstances are difficult to find. Without dogs it is 
almost impossible to outwit them. When attacked they al- 
ways head for the nearest stream, and plunge into the water 
for concealment. Their food consists of soft and fleshy 
plants which grow in or within easy reach of streams and in 
dense forests where the humidity is great. The flesh of all 
tapirs is said to be very palatable, and in South America it 
is much sought by hunters. 
The South American Tapir thrives in captivity, either 
with a bath-tank or without, and breeds. In 1903 a pair bred 
in the National Zoological Park, at Washington, and the off- 
spring survived. 
