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Baird's Tapir

Baird's Tapir and young line art illustration (click image to enlarge)

Baird's Tapir and young full color illustration (click image to enlarge)

Artist's notes:

The Baird's Tapir was completed on 6/23/2009.4.3.2011. This drawing was commissioned by a private client in Belize. While I enjoy drawing nearly all rainforest animals, I was a little chagrined to learn that after I had completed a drawing of a South American Tapir, the species that was actually requested this species instead. But with this, I've completed 3 of the 4 living species of Tapir. The drawing is based on a photo by Christian Sperka.

Information about the Baird's Tapir:

The Baird's Tapir is one of four extant species of tapir on earth, and the largest of the three species in Latin America. It is named for the noted American naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird, who was in Mexico in 1843 and observed them. However, the animal was in fact first described by another American naturalist W.T. White. The Baird's Tapir is found in the dense tropical jungles of Central America. They are herbivores, feeding mostly on fruit, berries, and leaves, which they hunt for and grab using their prehensile snout. All four species of tapir are considered endangered or vulnerable.