THE ANDEAN

TAPIR
(TAPIRUS
PINCHANQUE)
Integrantes:
 Ormeño
 Noa
 Condori
ABOUT THE ANDEAN TAPIR
The Andean tapir is, from pre- Columbian Peru, a species with great sociocultural and biological
importance.

Because it is one of the largest mammals distributed in the Andes (it measures 1.8 meters long
and weighs between 150 and 250 kilos) and, above all, because of its role as a seed disperser.

It is a species of perissodactyl mammal of the tapirid family. It is one of the four species of tapir
extant in the Americas, and the only one that lives outside tropical forests in the wild.
NAME
In Quechua it is known as sacha huagra.

Its real name derives from the Latin Turpi, while pinchaque refers to a mythical creature that
inhabited the Andean regions. However, it is sadly known among some locals as "black beast",
although the tapir is harmless, it is famous for its large size.
CHARACTERISTICS OF THE
ANDEAN TAPIR
It measures on average 180 cm long and between 75 and 90 cm tall, the female is somewhat
larger and can measure up to 200 cm long and more than 90 cm tall. The weight varies between
90 and 180 kg, although the largest specimens can reach 260 kg.

Its most notable feature is the proboscis, an extension of its lips and snout, which is used for
breathing, drinking, feeding, courting, fighting, and maintaining bodily balance. They present a
slight sexual dimorphism in the size of the females, which are larger than the males.
THEIR HABITAT
Its habitat is the forests and mountainous moors of Colombia, Ecuador and northern Peru,
between 2,000 and 4,000 meters above sea level, in the forests and mountainous moors of the
Piura and Cajamarca regions.
The tapir lives in the rain forests and in the humid forests of a good part of South America. With
solitary habits and mainly nocturnal activity, it is an excellent swimmer that spends a lot of time
in the water. It is a browser that feeds on grass, aquatic vegetation, leaves, young shoots and
fruit.
COMO SE ALIMENTA EL TAPIR
ANDINO?
El tapir de montaña es un herbívoro ramoneador que tiene preferencia por los brotes y hojas
jóvenes de hierbas, árboles y arbustos.
CUALES SON LAS
HABILIDADES DEL TAPIR
ANDINO?
Los tapires suelen ser conocidos como arquitectos del bosque. Se alimentan de plantas y frutas y
son importantes dispersores de semillas pues defecan mientras caminan. La semilla abonada por
sus excrementos germina y esto permite que árboles y plantas crezcan en diferentes lugares.

A pesar de su apariencia, puede escalar, nadar y bucear muy bien.

Al alimentarse de hasta 264 especies, el tapir andino es capaz de dispersar 50 especies de flora,
lo que significa construir senderos completos para otras especies. Es decir, permite el
mantenimiento natural del ecosistema de alta montaña en su región. ¡Importantísimo! De aquí
que su protección sea tan importante.
WHAT WOULD ITS
EXTINCTION MEAN?
The disappearance of this emblematic species would impact the ecosystems of the area:

Soil stability,
Water Production,
Garden maintenance, etc.

The Andean tapir continues to be in danger of extinction in our country. For this
reason, the Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation, thanks to the National Forest and Wildlife
Service (Serfor), developed the National Plan for the Conservation of the Andean Tapir, with
the aim of guaranteeing the protection of this animal, since its risk of extinction It is
unfortunately very high.
THANKS FOR PAYING
ATTENTION

English work