13K views · 393 reactions | Chupi our Lowland Tapir LOVES scratches! And that adorable long snout isn’t just for looks. It’s actually prehensile, meaning it’s made to wrap around and grab things. Tapirs use their noses to grab fruit, leaves, and other food. For food that may seem out of reach, a Tapir can stretch its nose way up, wrap around the morsel and pull it down to eat!  #hattiesburg #mississippi #hattiesburgzoo #tapir #animalsofinstagram | Hattiesburg Zoo | Facebook

1.5K views · 917 reactions | Water baby!  Tapirs can swim and often cool off in water. This South American tapir at the Emperor Valley Zoo enjoys the water jets each time his pond is being refilled! Tapir Fact! - Tapirs are related to horses and rhinoceroses! #Tapir #EmperorValleyZoo | Emperor Valley Zoo | Facebook

Tapirs are gentle, plant-eating mammals that live in the forests and grasslands of Central and South America, as well as Southeast Asia. They are distant relatives of horses and rhinos and are easily recognized by their short, flexible snouts, which they use to grab leaves, fruit, and other vegetation. Baby tapirs, known as calves, are born with beautiful white spots and stripes covering their dark brown bodies. These markings act as natural camouflage, helping them blend into the forest floor a