Baird's Tapir

The largest land mammal in Central America and Panama's national animal. With its flexible snout and robust body, it is the forest gardener for its role in seed dispersal.

Tapirus bairdii, known as danta in Panama, is the largest land mammal in Central America, reaching up to 2 meters long and 300 kg. Its most distinctive feature is its short prehensile proboscis, used to grasp leaves and fruits. Despite its robust appearance, it is an excellent swimmer and diver. It is a keystone species for the ecosystem: by consuming fruits and seeds, it disperses them through the forest, acting as a forest gardener. In Panama it inhabits the forests of Darién, Bocas del Toro, and La Amistad. It is endangered due to hunting and deforestation.

Habitat

Wet and cloud forests from lowlands to 3600 meters