Central American Tapir Skull Replica measures 15.7 inches. Central American Tapir Skull is museum quality replica polyurethane cast. Cast of an original California Academy of Sciences specimen. 2-part skull (separate cranium and jaw). Made in USA. Known as Baird’s Tapir
The Central American Tapir is a species of tapir native to Mexico, Central America and northwestern South America. It is one of four Latin American species of tapir.
They have a cream-colored marking on its face and throat and a dark spot on each cheek, behind and below the eye.
The rest of its hair is dark brown or grayish brown. This tapir is the largest of the four American species and the largest native land mammal in both Central and South America.
The gestation period is about 400 days, after which one offspring is born. Multiple births are extremely rare.
The babies, as with all species of tapir, have reddish-brown hair with white spots and stripes, a camouflage which affords them excellent protection in the dappled light of the forest. This pattern eventually fades into the adult coloration.
For the first week of their lives, infant Central American Tapir are hidden in secluded locations while their mothers forage for food and return periodically to nurse them.
Later, the young follow their mothers on feeding expeditions. At three weeks of age, the young are able to swim. Weaning occurs after one year, and sexual maturity is usually reached six to 12 months later. Central American Tapir can live for over 30 years.
Central American Tapirs may be active at all hours, but is primarily nocturnal. It forages for leaves and fallen fruit, using well-worn tapir paths which zig-zag through the thick undergrowth of the forest.
The animal usually stays close to water and enjoys swimming and wading on especially hot days, individuals will rest in a watering hole for hours with only their heads above water.
They are found in many diverse vegetation types. They can withstand elevations from sea level to up to 3,600 metres (11,800 ft). The animal can be found in wet areas like mangrove forests, marshes, swamp areas, and wet tropical rainforests.
It also resides in drier areas like riparian woodlands, deciduous forests, and mountainous cloud forests. It prefers secondary growth forests, when available, due to increase in understory plants for foraging and protection. Food and water availability as well as protection are key factors in habitat selection.
