Mammals

Malayan Tapir (Tapirus indicus)

What’s black and white like a zebra, maneuvers
its nose like a miniature elephant trunk and had
relatives living in Texas long, long ago? 

Kruze, the Zoo’s new Malayan tapir of course!

 Kruze recently settled into what used to be the
hippo exhibit across from Lory Landing. Like
the hippos before him, look for Kruze to be
swimming in the water or resting on land. Wild
tapirs frequently lounge in the river, washing
away insects, cooling off and eating plants.

 

Check out Kruze’s nose.  Long and flexible, tapir snouts can pluck leaves from tree branches or root around on the ground for grasses and fallen fruit to eat.  Underwater, tapirs can even breathe with their snout poked above the surface like a snorkel.

Stop by the Zoo today and say hello to Kruze.  If you come on July 29th, be sure to say Happy Birthday as well.  Kruze turns 18 years old this month.