Overview
The Malayan tapir (or Tapirus indicus) is a mammal native to the rainforests of Southeast Asia. The Malayan tapir’s head, shoulders, front legs and back legs are black, and their mid-body and back end is white. It is a heavy-set animal and has a distinctive prehensile proboscis nose. Malayan tapirs measure between 1.8m and 2.5m in length and weigh between 250kg and 540kg. Females tend to be slightly larger than males and 10% to 20% heavier.
Appearance
Male
Female
Juvenile
Size & weight
Size
Shoulder height: 0.95 to 1.05 m
Weight
Male
345 kg
Female
405 kg
Bars use a log scale against the heaviest animal in the Zoopedia, the Common Hippopotamus.
Juvenile
Juvenile weight
34.5 kg
Measured as Shoulder height. The person stands 1.75 m tall for scale.
Habitat requirements
Barrier grade
Grade 2 of 5
Minimum height
1.25 m minimum
Climbing & water
Climb proof
Not needed
Water barrier
Not allowed
Barriers at this grade
Barrier types with resistance grade 2.
Habitat needs
Minimum area
Land
430 m² + 56 m² per extra animal
Water
37 m² + 19 m² per extra animal
Shelter
12 m² per animal
Environment
Temperature
18 to 33°C
Plant coverage
15-100%
Enclosure
Habitat
Dislikes
Snow
Terrain
- Grass 20-50%
- Sand 0-10%
- Soil 30-80%
- Rock 0-20%
- Waterlogged 0-100%
Diet and enrichment
Diet
- Hay
- Herbivore Pellets
Water sources
Conservation
IUCN Red List
Endangered
Least concern
Critically endangered
Wild population
2,500
2,500 in the wild. Rank 9 of 58 species with a known count, smallest first.
Malayan tapirs are Endangered. The Malayan tapir faces significant conservation challenges primarily due to habitat loss, fragmentation, and poaching. Rapid deforestation for agriculture, logging, and infrastructure development in Malaysia, Thailand, and Sumatra has drastically reduced the tapir’s natural habitat. As solitary animals with large home ranges, tapirs are particularly vulnerable to habitat fragmentation, which isolates populations and limits genetic diversity. Tapirs are sometimes killed accidentally in snares set for other animals or fall victim to vehicle collisions. They are a protected species in Malaysia and Indonesia. Conservation efforts include protected areas such as national parks and wildlife reserves offer some refuge, and initiatives like wildlife corridors aim to reconnect fragmented habitats. Organisations are working to raise public awareness about the tapir’s plight and promote coexistence strategies in rural communities. In Malaysia, monitoring programs and captive breeding efforts support population recovery. Sustained commitment and collaboration are essential to ensure the survival of this unique and ancient species.
Zoopedia sketchbook
Social & reproduction
Keeper notes
Malayan tapirs are often solitary but may also be found in monogamous pairs with their young offspring or in temporary feeding groups. They are tolerant of other individuals. Breeding season is between May and June. When a tapir female moves through a tapir male’s territory, he will track her by the scent of her urine. When they meet, the male will court the female by nudging and sniffing her hindquarters and chasing her. If the female is receptive, she will allow him to mount her and mate. They will mate several times throughout the day while the female is fertile. After mating, the male and female may stay together or go their separate ways. After a pregnancy of 390 to 410 days, the female will give birth to a single calf. For the first week of the calf’s life, it remains hidden in the undergrowth and the mother will return often to feed it. At a week old, the calf will accompany its mother during foraging. Calves remain with their mother until they are between 1 and 2 years old, depending on when their mother has another calf. They reach sexual maturity at 3 years.
Group and breeding
Group
Group size
1-2 (up to 1 male, up to 1 female)
Male bachelor group
1
Female bachelor group
1
Offspring dispersal
None
Lifecycle and breeding
Life expectancy
25-36 years
Age of sexual maturity
3 years
Age of sexual sterility
Death
Gestation or incubation
13.1 months
Interbirth period
10.9 months
Litter size
1
Mating system
Monogamous
Mating season
Summer
Reproduction in captivity
Easy
Colourmorphs
- Leucistic
Research
Research levels
| Level | Unlocks | Research gate |
|---|---|---|
| Level 1 | Thriving Requirement 1: Hanging Grazer Feeder, at least 3 | |
| Level 2 | Thriving Requirement 2: at least 10 objects or plants with the Aquatic tag; Malayan Tapir Fact Sheet | |
| Level 3 | Release groups and release to the wild | |
| Level 4 | Thriving Requirement 3: Food Grade 2; Fertility Level 1 (+15% fertility) | Before this level: an Observation Network (Observation Platform) in Sumatra Reserve and this species released in Sumatra Reserve |
| Level 5 | Thriving Requirement 4: at least 50% native plants | |
| Level 6 | Thriving Requirement 5: Water Surface Area; Fertility Level 2 (+30% fertility) |
Researched by
Vets
Wildlife Reserve
Sumatra Reserve
Every level of this species' research, with its unlock conditions.
Release groups
Valid release groups
| Group | Type | Animals |
|---|---|---|
| Maternal Family Group | Female group | 1 female |
| Solitary Male | Solitary male | 1 male |
Release requirements
| Requirement type | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Ecosystems Required | Lowland Rainforest |
Ecosystems
Release groups, reserve requirements and the roles this species fills.
Animal facts
- The Malayan tapir is the largest species of tapir.
- Infant tapirs have dark fur with a pattern of white spots and stripes that camouflages them in the undergrowth and dappled light of the rainforest.
- Malayan tapirs will often walk along riverbeds underwater for up to 90 seconds.
- The Malayan tapir is the only species of tapir that is native to Asia, with all other species living in Central and South America.
- The Malayan tapir’s vision is very poor, and they rely mainly on scent and hearing to navigate their surroundings.
Taxonomy
Class
Order
Family
Genus
Species
