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Saturday 17 November 2012

Tapir


Not raining today, but, damp and dull, hence the Tapir.

Picture: Bob Bushell
Tapirs look something like pigs with trunks, but they are actually related to horses and rhinoceroses. This eclectic lineage is an ancient one—and so is the tapir itself. Scientists believe that these animals have changed little over tens of millions of years.
Tapirs have a short prehensile (gripping) trunk, which is really an extended nose and upper lip. They use this trunk to grab branches and clean them of leaves or to help pluck tasty fruit. Tapirs feed each morning and evening. During these hours they follow tunnel-like paths, worn through the heavy brush by many a tapir footstep, to reach water holes and lush feeding grounds. As they roam and defecate they deposit the seeds they have consumed and promote future plant growth.
Though they appear densely built, tapirs are at home in the water and often submerge to cool off. They are excellent swimmers and can even dive to feed on aquatic plants. They also wallow in mud, perhaps to remove pesky ticks from their thick hides.
New World tapirs generally live in the forests and grasslands of Central and South America. A notable exception is the mountain (or woolly) tapir, which lives high in the Andes Mountains. Woolly tapirs, named for their warm and protective coat, are the smallest of all tapirs.
The world's biggest tapir is found in the Old World—Southeast Asia. The black-and-white Malay tapir can grow to 800 pounds (363 kilograms). It inhabits the forests and swamps of Malaysia and Sumatra.
All four tapir species are endangered or threatened, largely due to hunting and habitat loss.

40 comments:

  1. Same colour as are boar, get close up.


    peter

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  2. Wow - fabulous fabulous shot!

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  3. Wow, amazing shot! Have a great weekend, maybe the sun will come out?

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  4. A lovely image Bob of an animal I used to see as a child at Chester Zoo.

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  5. Beautiful shot Bob! A great chat about tapirs ... thank you.

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  6. Hello Bob
    chevaux et des rhinocéros ??? ah oui ??? Je ne savais pas !
    Je l'aime bien le Tapir, grosse tête mais si attendrissante !
    Bye

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  7. Bardzo ciekawe informacje i szkoda, że człowiek szkodzi tym zwierzętom, zresztą bardzo ładnym. Pozdrawiam.
    Very interesting information and a shame that a man harms the animals, very nice indeed. Yours.

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  8. Prachtig sherp vastgelegd Bob.
    gr. Tinie

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  9. He is a noble-looking creature. The image you have shown makes me want to press my face to his cheek to feel the sleekness of it. But better not--his nose would drip on me.

    Thank you for giving me the wonderful feeling of having been THAT COSE!

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  10. How wonderful, Bob! Great closeup of a nice animal!

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  11. Lovely close up and detail Bob.

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  12. Amazing shot, Bob!
    Have a nice Sunday!
    Crissi

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  13. Wow, what a picture....super job Bob!!

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  14. wat een neus ,ik zou het hele dier wel eens willen zien.

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  15. A mighty fellow, looking rather uninterested! :-)
    I wanted to give him a tissue!

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  16. Hallo Bob!!Amazing shot!!!Strange animal!!Wishing you a lovely evening!!
    Dimi..

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  17. Beleza de perfil dessa Anta. Ótima captura.

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  18. Een prachtige foto zo scherp en je flamingo's ook erg mooi gedaan lieve groetjes Danielle

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  19. It seems to be thinking something very seriously! Great shot.

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  20. Great close up, and information! But sorry to know that they are endangered.

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  21. Wow, ein absolut geniales Foto... Herzliche Grüsse, Sichtwiese

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  22. I like this picture, Bob. The drop on his nose is so funny.... Greetings, Joke

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  23. Tapirs....a beautiful animal
    i didn't know this details....thank you-)))
    have a nice day Bob

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  24. Wow! The things you find in the Forest of Dean!! Great close up Bob...[;o)

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  25. Amazing shot, Bob!
    Have a nice Sunday!

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  26. What a beautiful portrait it is !!!
    Thanks Bob

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  27. Fabulous shot Bob and very unique. Beautiful.
    lovely greet and hug
    Marja
    (marjascreativity)

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  28. Excellent photo!Your work is amazing!

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  29. Fantastic close-up Bob. That's a beautiful animal!!
    Greetings

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