A tapir is a large, herbivorous mammal related to rhinoceroses and horses, even though its appearance might remind you of pigs or anteaters. Tapirs belong to the family Tapiridae, and there are four or five known species that live primarily in the forests of Central and South America, with one species inhabiting Southeast Asia. Tapirs have a distinctive short, prehensile snout, similar to a small trunk, which they use to grab leaves, fruit, and other vegetation. This flexible nose also helps them when swimming, allowing them to breathe like a snorkel. They have four toes on their front feet and three on their back feet, with each toe having its own hoof to help them navigate through their dense forest habitats. They weigh between 300 to 800 pounds depending on the species, and adults can be quite large — the Malayan tapir, the largest species, can measure up to 8 feet long and weigh up to 400 kg (about 880 pounds). Tapirs are herbivores, feeding on leaves, twigs, fruits, and aquatic plants, and they play an important ecological role by dispersing seeds through their feces, which helps with forest regeneration. They have a slow reproduction rate with pregnancies lasting about 13 to 14 months and usually giving birth to one calf at a time. Tapirs can live around 25 to 30 years in the wild or in captivity. Overall, tapirs are ancient animals, sometimes called "living fossils," having existed virtually unchanged for millions of years. Unfortunately, they face threats from habitat loss and hunting, making conservation efforts critical for their survival. In summary, a tapir is a large, prehistoric, herbivorous mammal with a distinctive short trunk-like nose, related closely to horses and rhinos, living mostly in forested environments in Central and South America and parts of Asia.