THE TAPIRS. 



423 



animals use these paths as long as they are not 

 molested; when alarmed or pursued, however, they 

 plunge through the most tangled thicket with ease. 

 Habits and Move- The Tapirs are mainly animals of 

 merits of the the darkness. Tschudi says: "For 

 Tapir. months we roamed through the 



dense forests, containing hosts of Tapirs, but we 

 never saw one during the day, for in the daytime 

 they seem to remain concealed in the dense brush- 

 wood, in cool, shady places, affecting the proximity 

 of stagnant water, in which they like to wallow. 

 In quite undisturbed and very dense forests, how- 

 ever, they also rove about by day. It is true, that 

 they are averse to moving about in the sunshine, 

 and in the middle of- the day they always seek in 

 dense shades shelter from the fatiguing heat and 

 from Mosquitoes, which annoy them to an extent 

 almost unbearable." Prince Wied says: "If one 



In their movements the Tapirs remind the on- 

 looker of Hogs. Their walk is slow and deliberate; 

 one leg is leisurely put in front of the other, the 

 head is bent to the ground and only the sniffing 

 trunk, constantly moving back and forth, as well as 

 the restless ears, enliven the lazy aspect of the crea- 

 ture. The Tapir is an excellent swimmer and a still 

 better diver, and crosses the widest rivers with ap- 

 parent ease, not only when compelled to swim by 

 pursuit, but whenever occasion offers. 

 The Senses and Among the perceptive senses of the 

 General Traits of Tapir those of smell and hearing de- 

 .apirs. . cidedly rank highest, and are prob- 

 ably of equal keenness; sight is comparatively weak. 

 This deficiency is, however, partially compensated 

 by an exquisitely susceptible sense of touch, espe- 

 cially in the trunk, in which it is very delicate, and 

 is used in manifold ways. The vocal expression is 



MALAYAN TAFIB. Thoughsofarfromits American cousin the Malayan Tagit closely resembles it in physical characteristics and habits. It 



13 longer and not quite so clumsy as the American Tapir, but the special distinguishing mark of the Asiatic species is the large white patch on th6 reai 

 portion of the back and sides, as indicated in this picture. ( Tafirus indicus.) 



goes to a river in the early morning or in the even- 

 ing, softly and noiselessly, he may frequently see 

 Tapirs bathing, for the purpose of cooling them- 

 selves or of getting rid of the torments of Mosqui- 

 toes. No animal knows better how to protect itself 

 from these annoying insects; every mud-pool, every 

 <^^eek^or pond is utilized by thern with this end in 

 view." Towards evening the Tapirs sally forth in 

 quest of food, and probably they are active all night. 

 Their habits show a resemblance to those of the 

 Wild Boar, but they do not herd together in such 

 numbers as do Hogs, but live singly, like the Rhi- 

 noceros. The males especially are said to possess 

 solitary habits and join the females only during the 

 breeding season. Herds or groups are seldom met 

 With, and bands numbering more than three have 

 been observed only where a particularly good, rich 

 pasturage had attracted several Tapirs. 



a peculiar, shrill whistle, out of all proportion to the 

 bulk of the animal. 



All Tapirs seem to be good-natured, timid and 

 peaceable creatures, which have recourse to the use 

 of their natural weapons only in dire necessity. They 

 flee from every foe, even from the smallest of Dogs, 

 but most anxiously from Man, of whose superior 

 might they are well aware. This is shown by the 

 mere fact of their being much more wary and shy 

 in regions near plantations than in the untrodden 

 forest. This rule of extreme timidity has exception^, 

 however. Occasionally they defend themselves and 

 when aroused are by no means despicable antago- 

 nists. They rush at the enemy in blind fury, try to 

 run over him, and sometimes they may use their teeth 

 after the manner of enraged Hogs. In this way the 

 mothers defend their young, when the latter are 

 menaced by a sportsman. Then they brave any dan- 



