BELIZE'S NATIONAL ANIMAL - THE TAPIR

The tapir, known as the "mountain cow" in Belize, are forest dwellers, active mostly at night as they forage along river banks and forest clearings. They feed on grasses, aquatic vegetation, leaves, buds, and fruits of the low-growing shrubs. They sometime run afoul of man when they cause damage to corn fields and other crops.
Tapirs are usually solitary except when mothers have young. they range over large territories and are excellent swimmers spending a fair amount of time in forest rivers. They are also agile climbers, crashing up steep hillsides and river banks with apparent ease. When surprised, tapirs generally head for water, but will sometimes stamp their feet loudly and sometimes whistle.
The Bairds Tapir ranges from Southern Mexico to Northern Columbia and are endangered throughout their range. The main threats to the tapir survival is hunting and deforestation.
KEY FACTS
SIZELength: 6 feetWeight: 300 - 500 lbs.
BREEDINGReach Maturity: 3 YearsMating: Non-seasonalGestation: 13 monthsNo. of Young:1
LIFESTYLEHabitat: Riverine forestFood: Riparian vegetationLifespan: 22 years