Deep in the rainforests of Peninsular Malaysia, Sumatra, southern Thailand, and Myanmar moves an animal that seems half black, half white, and completely out of place among the greens of the jungle. This is the Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus), the largest and only surviving tapir species in Asia. Though its appearance might remind you of a panda, it is actually a distant relative of rhinos and horses, part of the group known as odd-toed ungulates.

The Malayan tapir’s black-and-white pattern looks like it would make it stand out, but in the dim light of the rainforest, it does the opposite. The dark head and hindquarters blend into the shadows, while the white band across its middle mimics patches of moonlight filtering through the canopy. This clever camouflage, called disruptive coloration, helps the tapir disappear into its surroundings once night falls.

An adult tapir is about 1.8 to 2.5 meters (6 to 8 feet) long and weighs between 250 and 320 kilograms (550 to 700 pounds). Its sturdy, barrel-shaped body and short legs are perfect for pushing through dense vegetation and climbing muddy slopes. Each front foot has four toes, and each back foot has three, spreading its weight like a built-in snowshoe to keep it steady on soft rainforest soil.

Mostly active at night, tapirs follow familiar trails to feeding spots and rivers. Their eyesight is limited, but their sharp hearing and sense of smell more than make up for it. Their eyes even reflect light in the dark like a cat’s, giving them a faint glow that helps them see in the shadows.

The Malayan tapir’s short, flexible trunk is its most distinctive feature. Formed by the fusion of the upper lip and nose, it works as a multi-purpose tool. Tapirs use it to grab leaves, pull branches closer, and test the air for scents as they move through dense rainforest.

When they reach a river, that same trunk becomes a snorkel, allowing them to breathe while swimming or walking along the riverbed. Malayan tapirs are powerful swimmers and can stay submerged for several minutes, using waterways to travel, cool off, or escape predators such as tigers.

Their thick skin protects them from thorns. Tapirs are mostly solitary and follow well-worn paths through the forest that link feeding areas to rivers and mud wallows. They mark these trails with scent, creating a mental map of safe routes that can be used for years.

Though quiet, Malayan tapirs communicate through high-pitched whistles, squeaks, and snorts. These sounds help them locate mates or alert others when disturbed. Researchers believe each individual has a slightly different whistle pattern, much like a voice signature.

Baby tapirs look nothing like adults. Newborns are covered in brown coats with white stripes and spots that resemble a watermelon rind, perfect camouflage in the forest undergrowth. After about six to eight months, the young lose these markings and develop the black and white pattern of adults.

Tapir calves stay close to their mothers for up to a year, learning foraging routes and water crossings. Females give birth to a single calf after a long pregnancy of about 13 months.