South American Tapir (Sachavaca) in Peru
The South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), called sachavaca in Peru, is the largest land mammal in South America. Adults weigh 180–300 kg (397–661 lb) and measure 191–242 cm (6.3–7.9 ft) from head to body. It lives east of the Andes, from northern Colombia to northern Argentina and southern Brazil, mostly in lowland forest near rivers and up to about 1,700 m (5,600 ft). In Peru it lives in the Amazon, including Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve, where the best way to see one is to wait at night at a clay lick.
Tapir facts at a glance
| Scientific name | Tapirus terrestris (lowland or South American tapir) |
|---|---|
| Name in Peru | Sachavaca |
| Range | East of the Andes, from northern Colombia to northern Argentina and southern Brazil |
| Habitat | Moist forest near rivers, swamps and flooded forest, up to about 1,700 m (5,600 ft) |
| Head and body length | 191–242 cm (6.3–7.9 ft) |
| Weight | 180–300 kg (397–661 lb) |
| Diet | Leaves, shoots, fruit and water plants |
| Activity | Mostly at dawn, dusk and night |
| Reproduction | One calf after a gestation of 13–14 months |
| Conservation status | Vulnerable (IUCN) |
Where to see tapirs in Peru: the clay lick
Tapirs are shy and move mostly at night, so the most reliable place to see one is a clay lick, a patch of mineral-rich clay that tapirs visit after dark to eat. On our 5-day tapir and parrot clay lick tour and our 6-day, 7-day and 8-day Manu Reserved Zone tours, we wait quietly on a platform above a tapir clay lick. The wait can be anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours or more, and when a tapir arrives you watch it from 10–20 m (33–66 ft) away.
In Manu you may also see tapirs around oxbow lakes or swimming across the Madre de Dios River. Our guides see them most often from April to June.
How tapirs live
- At home in the water. Tapirs are good swimmers and spend much of their time near rivers and lakes, where they bathe, feed and escape from danger.
- Browsers. They feed on leaves and new shoots up to about 2 m (6.6 ft) high, fruit and water plants, and spread seeds through the forest.
- Slow breeders. A female has a single calf after 13–14 months of gestation, so populations recover slowly from hunting.
- Predators. Jaguars, caimans and anacondas hunt tapirs; read more about the jaguar in Manu.
Is the tapir endangered?
The South American tapir is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Hunting is its main threat: hunters often wait for tapirs at salt licks, especially in the dry season. In protected areas such as Manu, where hunting is not allowed, the clay licks are a safe place to watch them.
Sources
- San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance Library: Tapir fact sheet (size, weight, activity, reproduction and IUCN status)
- FAO: species account of Tapirus terrestris (names, range, habitat, diet and hunting at salt licks)
Updated October 2026.
Tours with a tapir clay lick
These itineraries include a night watch at a tapir clay lick, the most reliable way to see this shy animal.
Frequently asked questions
What is a sachavaca?
Sachavaca is the Peruvian name for the South American tapir (Tapirus terrestris), the largest land mammal in South America. Despite the name, it is not related to cows: tapirs are relatives of horses and rhinos.
Where do tapirs live in Peru?
In the Amazon east of the Andes, in moist forest near rivers, swamps and flooded forest up to about 1,700 m (5,600 ft), including Manu National Park and the Tambopata National Reserve.
How can I see a tapir in Manu?
By waiting at night on a platform above a tapir clay lick. Tapirs can take from 30 minutes to two hours or more to arrive, and you watch them from 10–20 m (33–66 ft). Our 5-day tapir tour and our 6, 7 and 8-day Reserved Zone tours include this night watch.
How big is a South American tapir?
An adult weighs 180–300 kg (397–661 lb) and measures 191–242 cm (6.3–7.9 ft) from head to body.
Is the South American tapir endangered?
It is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Hunting is the main threat, and because a female has only one calf every 13–14 months, populations recover slowly.