Spotted, Striped Endangered Tapir Calf Born in the UK
Spots, Stripes, and Long Noses
Chester Zoo
Malayan tapirs communicate through a series of whistles of different pitches and duration. They’re mostly solitary, except when they get together for breeding. They are mostly active at night, but also can be spotted during the day.2
They are related to both horses and rhinoceroses. When they are born, tapir calves have coats filled with spots and stripes. The distinctive pattern helps camouflage them on the forest floor. Their coats slowly change during the first six months.1 Then they develop black and white coats with a large white patch around their middle with black heads and hindquarters.2
They have long, flexible noses that they use to forage for food. They typically have poor eyesight so they rely on strong senses of smell and hearing. Their courtship ritual involves a collection of whistling and wheezing noises.4
“It’s so lovely to once again hear the pitter-patter of tiny, spotty, and stripy Malayan tapir feet. They’re really special animals, a highly endangered species and very few zoos in the whole of Britain care for them, so it’s fair to say that Nessa’s arrival has put huge smiles on all of our faces,” said Rosie Owen, a zookeeper at Chester Zoo.
“Mum Margery is ever so good with her calf. Nessa is a real bundle of energy, confident, and is often looking to explore but Marge is extremely attentive and always has a watchful eye on her. The pair of them are doing really, really well together.”
Chester Zoo
Malayan tapirs communicate through a series of whistles of different pitches and duration. They’re mostly solitary, except when they get together for breeding. They are mostly active at night, but also can be spotted during the day.2
They are related to both horses and rhinoceroses. When they are born, tapir calves have coats filled with spots and stripes. The distinctive pattern helps camouflage them on the forest floor. Their coats slowly change during the first six months.1 Then they develop black and white coats with a large white patch around their middle with black heads and hindquarters.2
They have long, flexible noses that they use to forage for food. They typically have poor eyesight so they rely on strong senses of smell and hearing. Their courtship ritual involves a collection of whistling and wheezing noises.4
“It’s so lovely to once again hear the pitter-patter of tiny, spotty, and stripy Malayan tapir feet. They’re really special animals, a highly endangered species and very few zoos in the whole of Britain care for them, so it’s fair to say that Nessa’s arrival has put huge smiles on all of our faces,” said Rosie Owen, a zookeeper at Chester Zoo.
“Mum Margery is ever so good with her calf. Nessa is a real bundle of energy, confident, and is often looking to explore but Marge is extremely attentive and always has a watchful eye on her. The pair of them are doing really, really well together.”
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06 September 2023
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