>>>PLEASE READ BEFORE ENROLLING: The live portion of this class is a 45-minute-long, lecture-based multimedia presentation, with Q&A at the end -- you know your learner(s) best, so please consider if the session length and format is a good fit for them.<<<

This class will introduce students to the four (or is it five?) living tapir species, including overviews of taxonomy and evolutionary history, biogeography, and natural history. In line with one of the major goals of World Tapir Day, we will highlight tapir conservation as we discuss each species' current status on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, major threats to survival, and conservation efforts underway both in the wild and in zoos.  We will also take a brief look at how tapirs are represented in myths, legends, and popular culture (including a certain psychic Pokémon 😉).

These 45 minute live informational sessions will consist of primarily of multimedia content accompanied by lecture, and will be followed by additional free resources posted to the Classroom board so that you can continue to learn more about these amazing animals!