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Baird's Tapir is the largest species of Tapir and the largest land mammal of Central and South America. They live in the rainforests. They're around 1.8 to 2.5 meters long and weigh up to 350 kilograms. They're mostly dark brown but have creamy coloured markings on their face and throat. They can be active at all times but are primarily nocturnal. They often swim and rest in water holes on hot days.
Tapirs are herbivores and spend most of their time foraging for food, primarily leaves, bark and fruits. Though they're usually solitary, small groups consisting of a juvenile and an adult are not rare. They can use their long, trunk-like noses to grab small things and smell ripe fruit. They have been seen shaking trees so the fruit falls to the ground. As they're generally solitary, shy and territorial, they should not be approached. They're known to chase and charge after humans. Even crocodiles and jaguars often lose fights against an adult tapir.
Tapirs give birth to a single baby after a pregnancy of over 400 days. The baby is brown-ish with white dots and stripes to camouflage them in the forests. They lose their baby coat for their adult one after around 6 months. Baird's Tapirs are endangered animals. They're threatened by habitat loss, hunting and diseases spread by domestic animals. The population is highly fragmented which decreases gene-flow and makes the species more vulnerable and reproductions less likely which are already slow due to the long pregnancies.
Kemono Friends' Baird's Tapir only appeared in the 5th guidebook. Her design is based on an infant as it features brown clothes with white stripes and dots. In the art, she sticks out her tongue to further prove her immaturity.