Tapir Calf Update
Posted at 12:13 pm March 21, 2006 by Bridget Mulholland
Chukai, our 3½-month-old tapir, has been growing by leaps and bounds. During his latest weigh-in, he tipped the scales at a whopping 194 pounds (88 kilograms)! He still has a lot of growing to do, though, before he catches up with his mom, Rose, who weighs 803 pounds (365 kilograms). Another way that we can tell that Chukai is growing up is that he is starting to lose his stripes and spots and his adult coat is coming in. All of his “watermelon markings” should be completely gone by the time he is six months old.
Chukai has also been eating a lot of solid food, even though he continues to nurse for long periods of time every day. Right now, his favorite food items are bananas, apples, yams, and ficus browse, but he also eats some of Rose’s main diet of alfalfa pellets and hay. Our young tapir still loves to swim in the pool in his Tiger River enclosure and he definitely spends more time in it than Rose. We will often hear him vocalizing to his mom while he swims if she isn’t in sight. I guess he’s just letting her know that he’s doing okay!
Bridget Mulholland is a senior mammal keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
Read Bridget’s other blogs about Chukai: A Tapir is Born and Tapir Calf Takes the Plunge.
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March 21st, 2006 at 12:34 pm
Just visited the tapir family on 3/10. I had no idea that “little” Chukai weighed almost 200 lbs. and that Rose was a svelte 800 lbs.! He was such an adorable momma’s boy, following her around their exhibit. Thanks for the update!
March 22nd, 2006 at 7:35 am
Too cute - and what a big boy he’s becoming. Just a quick silly question Bridget, with the shape of their snout, is nursing a challenge for baby Tapirs? It seems their nose would get in the way.
I just want to say that I hope all of you at the SDZ realize how much we appreciate you and these blogs. Looking at the picture of little “big” Chukai and picturing him swimming made me laugh; and since it’s been a heck of a morning at work, that release was wonderful. Thanks again!
March 23rd, 2006 at 7:08 am
wow! I can’t believe the changes in our “little” guy. Thanks for updating us.