There are some animals so strange and fascinating that you would think they must be alien species, yet they have roamed the earth for millions of years, minding their own business. This is the case with the tapir (Metazooa #514), an animal that looks like it would be a cross between an elephant and a wild hog, but as Metazooa players know, is actually closely related to horses and rhinoceroses. Tapirs are almost prehistoric, given how little they have changed in the last 20 million years. They are sometimes called living fossils, as fossil evidence of tapirs dates back to the early Oligocene epoch.

Similar to elephants, tapir noses are prehensile, meaning they can wrap around and grab things. Tapirs use their noses to pluck leaves, fruits and shoots from trees, and navigate by scent on forest trails. Tapirs will mark paths between feeding areas and water sources with urine, and will rely on scent for communication. In a pinch, their noses can act as snorkels if tapirs must hide underwater. In fact, tapirs love water, often submerging to stay cool, or feed on aquatic plants. If tapirs weren’t cute enough yet - they also communicate through squeaks and whistles, like dolphins.  

When they aren’t wayfinding and snorkeling, tapirs can be found gardening (or as close to gardening as one can get when one is a large, prehistoric mammal). Tapirs are known for their gardening skills due to their propensity to disperse and fertilize seeds through defecation, and travel long ranges while foraging. This helps promote the genetic diversity of plants in forests, making tapirs a vital component of their ecosystem. It also ensures tapirs, and other animals, have an ongoing supply of food and shelter. How thoughtful!

Learn more: San Diego Zoo, National Geographic, Denver Zoo, Tapir Specialist Group.

Monday, December 23 to Sunday, December 29.

The following are the shortest paths from last week:

Play Forgeous for Dec 30