Tapirs in the Modern World

Sure, let's dive in! Welcome to an alternative reality where North American tapirs have not become extinct, but rather, they have adapted and diversified into a rich variety of 30 species across 12 genera since the Miocene epoch. Amidst the dense foliage of the Appalachian forests, you'll find the nimble and slightly smaller-than-modern-day tapir, Appalachiana minuta, prancing around. Known for its high-speed sprinting and agility, this tapir fills the niche of a quick forest wanderer, foraging on ground-based vegetation and fruits to sustain its active lifestyle. Over in the majestic redwood forests of California troops the Sequoian titans. Towering at an average of six feet at the shoulder and gifted with toughened bark-like skin to blend in, these tapir are herbivorous giants, peacefully grazing on high tree branches and shrubs, comparable to how giraffes live in Africa. In the tropical deciduous forests of Florida, the Floridana aquatica strides in the swamps and marshes. Adept in aquatic life, their elongated snouts function as a snorkel, a remarkable adaptation that differentiates them from their relatives, exhibiting a degree of niche specialization akin to that of hippos in African river ecosystems. Travel to Nevadian desert fringes, and you'll witness the Desertum parvs who have developed hardy, hoofed feet to navigate the rough, hot sands. Unlike their forest-dwelling relatives, these tapirs have shrunk and are more efficient in water storage, resembling the desert's camels. In the Canadian boreal forests, you could spot the Canadensis giganteus tapir. Equipped with a heavy, fur coat, they remain active all year round, even during frigid winters, eating bark and low-hanging branches, similarly to moose. Lastly, on the vast North American plains, it would not be uncommon to see herds of the Prairia velox, the sole open grassland species of tapirs. Agile and swift, these tapirs have evolved to have a leaner body and longer legs to outrun predators in the open spaces, not unlike antelopes. In this alternative world, tapirs have masterfully occupied a vast range of habitats and ecologies across North America. Each species illustrates the diverse potential of evolution under varying environmental pressures, successfully occupying every medium-sized herbivore niche in the forests, marshes, plains, and even desert fringes. What a sight that would be!