Tapirs are large herbivores who live in the forests of Central America, South America, and Southeastern Asia. Being odd-toed ungulates, they are most closely related to rhinoceroses, horses, donkeys, and zebras. Depending upon the species, tapirs can be almost 7 feet long and weigh up to 700 pounds.

Tapirs like to feed on plants in streams and rivers, spending considerable time around, in, and under water. They have been known to sink to the bottom of rivers and walk along the bottom, grazing and letting fish eat the parasites from their skin. They eat a very wide array of plants and serve an important role in dispersing the seeds of fruiting trees.

4 of the 5 species of tapir are considered vulnerable to, or in imminent danger of, extinction because humans hunt them for their meat and hides.