Nature - My View
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Pictures
    • Birds >
      • Hummingbirds
      • Macaws & Parrots
      • Raptors
    • Flora
    • Insects
    • Mammals >
      • Monkeys
    • Reptiles & Amphibians >
      • Snakes
      • Toads & Frogs
    • Trap Cam
  • Check lists
    • Amphibians list of Kabalebo
    • Bird list of Kabalebo
    • Mammal list of Kabalebo
    • Reptiles list of Kabalebo
  • Extra
    • Archives
    • Audio
    • Birding
    • My Gear & Books
    • Published articles
    • Video
  • Exploring Abroad
  • About
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Pictures
    • Birds >
      • Hummingbirds
      • Macaws & Parrots
      • Raptors
    • Flora
    • Insects
    • Mammals >
      • Monkeys
    • Reptiles & Amphibians >
      • Snakes
      • Toads & Frogs
    • Trap Cam
  • Check lists
    • Amphibians list of Kabalebo
    • Bird list of Kabalebo
    • Mammal list of Kabalebo
    • Reptiles list of Kabalebo
  • Extra
    • Archives
    • Audio
    • Birding
    • My Gear & Books
    • Published articles
    • Video
  • Exploring Abroad
  • About

Photobomb: Lowland tapir and Giant Cowbird

1/31/2024

 
Picture
I was trying to take another profile picture of Brutus, the tapir, when out of nowhere a Giant Cowbird decided to join in. It was actually looking for some ticks on top of his head. Brutus did not mind it at all. 

Crossing over: Lowland tapirs

7/26/2023

 
Picture
This mother and her kid were crossing over the airstrip of Kabalebo when two Black caracara's decided to join them. They were actually interested in the tics these tapirs are carrying with them but it seems that they were taking a joyride on the small one. 

Brutus and Giant Cowbirds

9/28/2022

 
Picture
Here I spotted Brutus, the tapir, relaxing with some of his Giant Cowbird friends. They were taking care of the tics at hard-to-reach-places, which is everywhere for Brutus. From time to time he was rolling from one side to the other just so his friends won't miss a spot. Extraordinary friendship.

Lowland tapir: just passing by

10/27/2021

 
Picture
On this day I was on the airstrip looking for random birds to photograph. When I turned around I saw a Lowland tapir heading to my direction. I waited until the tapir was a bit closer and to get a better shot I was lying on the grass of the airstrip. After a couple of seconds the tapir looked right into the lens. Such a peaceful walk. The only thing that went wrong that day is that I was actually too close. 

Lowland tapir: facial expression

5/19/2021

 
Picture
There are some that can't tell the animals apart from each other when they are traveling together. But like humans even animals have their own unique personality. Here in Kabalebo we all know Max, the friendly tapir. But we also have another fellow walking around in the neighborhood. This is Brutus, he is a bit younger. In the beginning I couldn't tell those two apart from each other but when you look closer you can see that Brutus has these 'I don't really care look.' And he always walks with confidence.

Eating incognito

11/28/2020

 
Picture
The silent eater in the jungle.

Read More

Behind the scenes

9/8/2019

 
Picture
The Lowland Tapir has become a celebrity himself. Check the behind-the- scenes-pictures below.

Read More

A Tapir's Diet

11/28/2018

 
Picture
What does a tapir like to eat?

Read More

Tapir on the loose

2/7/2018

 
Picture
So, it looks like he is getting quite comfortable now.

Read More

A Closer Look: Tapirs (Young vs Old)

11/8/2017

 
Picture
It is nice to see how tapirs grow up, slowly but surely.

Read More

Gentle Giants

11/1/2017

 
Picture
Monitoring the behavior of a Lowland Tapir while no one is watching.

Read More

The Crossover

3/10/2017

 
lowland tapir
Just minding his own business.

Read More

Spoiling your taste buds

1/9/2017

 
lowland tapir
My encounter with this Lowland tapir turned into something very special.

Read More

Relax a while

12/28/2016

 
lowland tapir
This Lowland tapir is taking it pretty easy right before the end of the year.

Read More

Observing the River Cabin trail!

3/18/2016

 
Picture
This picture was taken in 2012, the year that I started to use trophy cams in Kabalebo. Now 4 years later we are checking the trophy cam on the River Cabin trail.

Read More

Observing pier side!

3/7/2016

 
Picture
Since 2012 I have been using trophy cams to help me observe the wild in Kabalebo. Today we are checking the cam from the pier.

Read More

Mating season: Lowland Tapir!

1/6/2016

 
Picture
The Lowland tapir is a fascinating mammal to look at. During the past few weeks they were seen quite often on different spots in Kabalebo. And the following explains why.

Read More

Animal of the Month: Lowland Tapir!

12/29/2015

 
Picture
When the month December crosses one's mind you will automatically think of the last month of the year. One that most people are looking forward too as it is also known as the month of presents and surprises. The Lowland tapir has been the present of Kabalebo during the month December.

Read More

An extraordinary friendship: Lowland Tapir & Black Caracara!

8/24/2015

 
Picture
They say that friendship goes through thick and thin. That it doesn't judge one another by its appearance. Well said! This Lowland tapir and his little friend, the Black Caracara proved it right. 

Read More

One with nature: the Lowland tapir!

3/30/2015

 
Picture
During one of my birding trips we stumbled upon a Lowland tapir. Tapirs are huge mammals weighing at least 500 pounds. You would think that it is impossible for them to stay under the radar, but they proved me wrong.

Read More

Lowland tapir update!

2/16/2015

 
When seeing a Lowland Tapir for the first time in your life you usually won't believe your own eyes. Its appearance is already a huge statement for onlookers, but still pleasant to watch them in their natural habitat.
So imagine if you have the privilege to be in the lucky position to observe a young Lowland tapir until he is a grown up. Last year, 2014, I already introduced this lucky guy and here is a follow up:
Picture

Read More

Lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris)

5/13/2014

 
Lowland tapirs, also known as Brazilian tapirs or South American tapirs, are often spotted at Kabalebo. They are seen near river-edges or on hiking trails. With their huge appearance, weighing at least 500 pounds (!!), long nose and mohawk like - hairdo, they almost look like a pre-historic creature ... to me. 


With the help of Trap Cams I was able to observe a young joining his mother until they went their separate ways.
Lowland tapirs feed on grass, twigs, young leaves, fruit and plums. As an experiment I gathered the plums from our sweet mope tree (As it is a seasonal tree, it is only possible between January and March every year) As they are large in size I had to gather at least 30 pounds (??) a day. I put all the plums on one big pile right in front of the Trap Cam. 


As shown in footages they appear at different times eating the plums, both day and night. Because the young stayed with his mother for more then a year, he got used to it and felt so comfortable and safe that he started a habit: sitting comfortably in front of the heap while eating. (I'll post some videos about this habit soon on this site)
You would think that his new habit would make him vulnerable for predators, but that isn't so. They smell their predators and avoid those trails. That is what I saw on one footage. One day I see a relaxed sitting tapir eating plums. The next day no tapir in sight, but a jaguar seen wandering in front  of the Trap Cam.
Now the young tapir is all grown-up, he walks alone on the same path he used to walk with his mum.  



Sometimes black-caracaras or giant cowbirds join the 'lonely' tapir. As its body is full of tics they feast on these creatures. For both the tapir and the birds it is a win-win situation. For an on-looker, like myself, it is quite a show to watch.


Seeing a Lowland tapir is a privilege for me, as they are listed on the Endangered Species List due to habitat loss, slow reproduction and being hunted by humans. I am fortunate to see these beautiful creatures, whether it is 'live' or on Trap Cams.



Picture
Mother eating the plums I had gathered for her.
Picture
Here you see the Mother Lowland tapir with her offspring. It was my lucky day to meet them both.
Picture
The Black Caracara is eating the tics from the Lowland tapirs' back. True friendship!

    Archives

    April 2025
    March 2025
    January 2025
    June 2024
    May 2024
    March 2024
    February 2024
    January 2024
    July 2023
    June 2023
    May 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    February 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2021
    October 2021
    September 2021
    August 2021
    July 2021
    June 2021
    May 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    October 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    May 2020
    April 2020
    March 2020
    February 2020
    January 2020
    November 2019
    October 2019
    September 2019
    August 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014

    Categories

    All
    Agouti
    Amphibians
    Antbirds
    Antpittas
    Antwrens
    Bananaquit
    Bird Of Prey
    Birdwatching
    Butterfly
    Capybaras
    Cardinal
    Cats
    Exploring Abroad
    Giant Otters
    Hummingbirds
    Insect
    Lizards
    Lowland Tapir
    Mammals
    Migrants
    Monkeys
    Motmot
    Nature
    Nightjars
    Oriole & Oropendola's
    Owl
    Parrot Family
    Rallidae
    Reptiles
    Rodent
    Seedeaters
    Sloth
    Tanagers
    Technology
    Tody-flycatchers
    Toucan Family
    Vultures
    Woodcreeper
    Woodpeckers

    RSS Feed

    http://blogsiteslist.com

    For the latest updates!

Subscribe to Newsletter

Let's get social!

Created by Armida Madngisa © 2014 - 2025