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SSP Species / Endangered Species
The Malayan tapir (pronounced TAY-per) is one of the most endangered
animals in Southeast Asia and one of the most misidentified animals
at the Zoo. Many people confuse it with an anteater. Some of the
confusion probably arises when people get a look at that very
distinctive nose!
An anteater's nose is long and rigid, but a tapir's nose is
more like an elephant's trunk. The tapir's short, fleshy snout
helps it sniff its way through the forest and is used much like
an elephant's trunk to pull vegetation to the mouth. But, in spite
of its snout, the tapir isn't related to the elephant either.
Its closest relatives are actually the horse and the rhino. In
Indonesia both rhinos and tapirs are referred to as "badak."
In Thailand, they are known as "P'som-sett" which means
"mixture is finished." Local folklore says the creator
of species made tapirs from all the leftover animal parts!
Learn more about the Minnesota Zoo's tapirs
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