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Tapiridae
Tapirs
1
Number of resurrected species:
Family
Order
Class
Tapiridae
Perissodactyla
Mammalia
Description
The Tapiridae-family contains many species of extinct and still extant species of tapirs. They once lived on many continents: from South and North America to Eurasia. A typical tapir is fairly large in size, has splayed, hooved toes that are great for aquatic habitats, such as swamps, rivers and lakes. Tapirs are also famous for their small trunk-like noses with which they can grab vegetation.
Distribution & Fossil evidence
The oldest member of the Tapiridae-family lived during the Eocene of North America, from where they spread towards Eurasia soon after. They didn't changed much in appearance ever since, except for their size and typical nose. The first real tapirs evolved during the Oligocene. During the Pliocene they migrated from North America to South America during the Great American Interchange-event.
Species
There are many species of extinct and several extant tapirs known to science.
Included genera
Tapirus
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