The beautiful though unusual Brazilian Tapir is, sadly, disappearing from the wild. These docile and interesting creatures are very unique, and it would be a terrible occurrence if they were to vanish from the face of the earth.

Brazilian Tapirs are nocturnal creatures of habit. Each evening, they use the same trails to access food, wearing little paths into the areas they live in. Usually they browse on any plants they can find, preferring the green shoots. Often, leaves, fruits, and stems may be eaten as well. Near plantations they will eat crops, and near bodies of water they will eat aquatic plants. Often grasses, tree bark, and even aquatic organisms are consumed. Usually, Brazilian Tapirs remain solitary outside the breeding season. Often, territory is marked with facial scent glands or urination, particularly by males. When females are raising young, they will defend them fiercely. Apart from females with young, Brazilian Tapirs usually dash toward the cover of brush or water when startled. Surprisingly, they are good climbers and can also swim well. They wallow regularly in mud or water, and it is thought that this helps to eliminate external parasites living on the wild animals. In captivity, Brazilian Tapirs are quite docile, and their personalities have been compared to those of domestic pigs. Many people say they are quickly domesticated and that they are easy to handle.

By maturity, most Brazilian Tapirs weigh between 500 and 700 pounds (150 and 250 kilograms). Females are larger than males. They stand between 77 and 108 centimeters at the shoulder. Female Brazilian Tapirs are often six feet (221 centimeters) long, while males have shorter bodies averaging 204 centimeters in length. Both sexes have stumpy tails that are about eight centimeters long. The feet of Brazilian Tapirs are hoofed. The back legs have three toes, while the front feet have four, though the fourth tends to be underdeveloped. Usually, the legs are short. The head of the Brazilian Tapir appears to be convex in shape due to the presence of a sagittal crest. The snout is long and can best be described as a proboscis. It is actually prehensile and is covered in tiny whiskers, known as vibrissae, which are used as sensory organs! Most Brazilian Tapirs have a dark mane running from the forehead to the middle of the animal's back. The coat as a whole is usually red, black, or tan in color, and shades that are varying degrees or mixtures of these colors are often seen as well. Often the throat, the edges of the ears, and the cheeks of Brazilian Tapirs are lighter than the body, and the legs and undersides are darker.

Native to South America, Brazilian Tapirs range from Columbia and Venezuela south through Brazil. They have also been found in northern Argentina and in Paraguay, in regions east of the Andes mountain range. Brazilian Tapirs are often found in tropical deciduous forests, tropical rain forests, and tropical scrub forests. They are frequently associated with rivers. Jaguars are the main predator of Brazilian Tapirs aside from humans. Sadly, humans, who believe they destroy cropland, often hunt them. They are also taken for meat and for their hides. This hunting factor, combined with habitat loss, has made the Brazilian Tapir an endangered species.

Brazilian Tapirs should be allowed plenty of space, particularly if more than one is kept in an enclosure. Hiding places should be available and often thickly planted enclosures can work well. Most captive Brazilian Tapirs are kept in zoos, where they are fed a diet of monkey chow, grain, alfalfa, and fresh fruits and vegetables. Apples, bananas, and carrots are commonly fed. Bread is also offered, as is a salt lick and a mineral supplement. Because Brazilian Tapirs are endangered, it is illegal to export them for the pet trade. Permits may also be required to keep these animals. Most are quite easy to handle and are about as smart as a domestic pig.

Brazilian Tapirs usually mate during two days of the estrus cycle. This heat period occurs once every 50 to 80 days. Males will squeal or make clicking noises to attract females. The gestation period of the Brazilian Tapir usually lasts between 335 to 439 days. Usually a singlet is born, although twins have been observed on occasion. Young Brazilian Tapirs have white spots and stripes on a dark brown background that helps to camouflage them. They will begin to eat solid food at several weeks of age. Usually, Brazilian Tapirs are sexually mature at 23 months of age; though they have reached their mature size by the time they are about 18 months old. In captivity, females as old as 28 years have been bred.