Brehm's Life of animals - a complete natural history for popular home instruction and for the use of schools. Mammalia (1896) (20387455366)

Title: Brehm's Life of animals : a complete natural history for popular home instruction and for the use of schools. Mammalia
Identifier: brehmslifeofanim1896breh (find matches)
Year: 1896 (1890s)
Authors: Brehm, Alfred Edmund, 1829-1884; Pechuel-Loesche, Edward, 1840-1913; Haacke, Wilhelm, 1855-1912; Schmidtlein, Richard
Subjects: Mammals; Animal behavior
Publisher: Chicago : Marquis
Contributing Library: Internet Archive
Digitizing Sponsor: Internet Archive



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THE TAPIRS. 423 animals use these paths as long as they are not molested; when alarmed or pursued, however, they plunge through the most tangled thicket with ease. Habits and Move- The Tapirs are mainly animals of ments of the the darkness. Tschudi says: "For Tapir. months we roamed through the dense forests, containing hosts of Tapirs, but we never saw one during the day, for in the daytime thev seem to remain concealed in the dense brush- wood, in cool, shady places, affecting the proximity 01 stagnant water, in which they like to wallow. In quite undisturbed and very dense forests, how- ever, they also rove about by day. It is true, that they are averse to moving about in the sunshine, and' in the middle of the day they always seek in dense shades shelter from the fatiguing heat and from Mosquitoes, which annoy them to an extent almost unbearable." Prince W'ied says: "If one In their movements the Tapirs remind the on- looker of Hogs. Their walk is slow and deliberate; one leg is leisurely put in front of the other, the head is bent to the ground and only the sniffing trunk, constantly moving back and forth, as well as the restless ears, enliven the lazy aspect of the crea- ture. The Tapir is an excellent swimmer and a still better diver, and crosses the widest rivers with ap- parent ease, not only when compelled to swim by pursuit, but whenever occasion offers. The Senses and Among the perceptive senses of the General Traits of Tapir those of smell and hearing de- Tapirs. cidedly rank highest, and are prob- ably of equal keenness; sight is comparatively weak. This deficiency is, however, partially compensated by an exquisitely susceptible sense of touch, espe- cially in the trunk, in which it is very delicate, and is used in manifold ways. The vocal expression is
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MALAYAN TAPIR. âThough so far from its American cousin the Malayan Tapir closely resembles it in physical characteristics and habits. It is longer and not quite so clumsy as the American Tapir, but the special distinguishing mark of the Asiatic species is the large white patch on the real portion of the back and sides, as indicated in this picture. ( Tapit :â goes to a river in the early morning or in the even- ing, softly and noiselessly, he may frequently see- Tapirs bathing, for the purpose of cooling them- selves or of getting rid of the torments of Mosqui- toes. Xo animal knows better how to protect itself from these annoying insects; every mud-pool, every creek or pond is utilized by them with this end in view." Towards evening the Tapirs sally forth in quest of food, and probably they are active all night. Their habits show a resemblance to those of the Wild Boar, but they do not herd together in such numbers as do Hogs, but live singly, like the Rhi- noceros. The males especially are said to possess solitary habits and join the females only during the breeding season. Herds or groups are seldom met with, and bands numbering more than three have been observed only where a particularly good, rich pasturage had attracted several Tapirs. a peculiar, shrill whistle, out of all proportion to the bulk of the animal. All Tapirs seem to be good-natured, timid and peaceable creatures, which have recourse to the use of their natural weapons only in dire necessity. They flee from every foe, even from the smallest of Dogs, but most anxiously from Man, of whose superior might they are well aware. This is shown by the mere fact of their being much more wary and shy in regions near plantations than in the untrodden forest. This ride of extreme timidity has exceptions, however. Occasionally they defend themselves and when aroused are by no means despicable antago- nists. They rush at the enemy in blind fury, try to run over him, and sometimes they may use their teeth after the manner of enraged Hogs. In this way the mothers defend their young, when the latter are menaced by a sportsman. Then they brave any dan-