Buy me a coffeeTapir
“Discover the Enchanting World of Tapirs – Nature’s Whimsical Oddity Roaming the Rainforests with Elegance!”
Appearance: Tapirs, with their endearing appearance, boast a robust build and distinctive snout. Their short, sleek fur varies in shades from dark brown to ash-gray, and a distinct ivory-colored patch extends from their forehead to their upper back. Tapering into a short, prehensile trunk, their snout stands out, resembling a unique blend of elephant and anteater features. Inquisitive, round eyes convey a gentle demeanor, while sturdy, hooved feet support their sizeable frame.
Behavior: Renowned for their amiable nature, tapirs navigate their habitat with a calm and deliberate pace. Semi-nocturnal creatures, they often forage for leaves, fruits, and aquatic vegetation during the night. Tapirs are skilled swimmers, effortlessly traversing water bodies, and their keen senses make them adept at evading predators. Displaying a solitary disposition, tapirs cherish moments of solitude, occasionally forming small family units.
Habitat: Tapirs thrive in diverse habitats, ranging from lush rainforests and swamps to grasslands and wooded regions. Their preference for water sources is evident, as they are commonly found near rivers and ponds. Flourishing in regions with abundant foliage and dense vegetation, tapirs are versatile dwellers, adapting to environments across South America, Central America, and Southeast Asia.
Modus Operandi: Tapirs employ their sturdy trunk-like snout not only for feeding but also as a remarkable tool for sensing their surroundings. Their sharp hearing and keen sense of smell act as vigilant guardians against potential threats. When feeling threatened, tapirs may employ their agility to retreat swiftly into water, utilizing their swimming prowess to escape danger. Despite their robust appearance, tapirs are surprisingly agile and can navigate challenging terrains with ease.
Motivation: The primary motivations driving tapirs revolve around sustenance, survival, and reproduction. Their simple yet fulfilling lives are centered on maintaining a harmonious balance with their environment. Tapirs contribute significantly to ecosystems through seed dispersal, aiding in the regeneration of vegetation. As herbivores, their motivation aligns with the rhythms of nature, ensuring their well-being while playing a vital role in the ecological tapestry of their habitats.
Tapir 5e
Tapir 3.5
Tapir
Large beast, unaligned
Armor Class 11 (natural armor)
Hit Points 45 (6d10 + 12)
Speed 40 ft., swim 30 ft.
| STR | DEX | CON | INT | WIS | CHA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 16 (+3) | 10 (0) | 14 (+2) | 2 (-4) | 10 (0) | 6 (-2) |
Skills Perception +2
Senses Darkvision 60 ft., Passive Perception 12
Languages —
Challenge 1/2 (100 XP)
Hold Breath. The tapir can hold its breath for 30 minutes.
Actions
Charge. If the tapir moves at least 20 feet straight toward a target and then hits it with a hooves attack on the same turn, the target takes an extra 7 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be knocked prone.
Hooves. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage.
Bite. Melee Weapon Attack: +5 to hit, reach 5 ft., one target. Hit: 8 (1d8 + 3) piercing damage. If the target is a creature, it must succeed on a DC 13 Strength saving throw or be grappled (escape DC 13).
Legendary Actions
The tapir can take 1 legendary action, choosing from the options below. Only one legendary action option can be used at a time and only at the end of another creature’s turn. The tapir regains spent legendary actions at the start of its turn.
Trample (Costs 2 Actions). The tapir moves up to its speed and can make one Hooves attack against each creature within its path. Each target must succeed on a DC 13 Dexterity saving throw or take 10 (2d6 + 3) bludgeoning damage and be knocked prone on a failed save.
This creature resembles a large pig, but its feet are rhinolike. Its snout is short and prehensile. Its brown eyes have a bluish cast to them.
Originally Posted by Shade of the En World forums.
Tapirs are odd-toed ungulates, most closely related to horses and rhinoceroses. These herbivores are found in forests and jungles, where they spend most of their time foraging along well-worn trails. Tapirs feed mostly on fruits, berries, and leaves, favoring young, tender growth. They are most active during twilight and night. Tapirs love water, spending a good deal of time within rivers and other available water bodies lounging or feeding on the river bottom.
Jaguars, crocodiles, tigers, and large constrictor snakes are the greatest threat to tapirs. The tapirs are relatively swift, able to flee to the shelter of thick forest undergrowth or water. Tapir reproduce every other year, with a gestation period of around 13 months. Young reach maturity in 3 to 5 years. A tapir is about 7 feet long and stands 3 feet tall at the shoulder. It weighs 330 to 700 pounds. Coloration varies from reddish-brown to gray to nearly black.
Some varieties have white saddle-shaped markings on their back, and at least one variety has long, wooly fur. A tapir lives up to 30 years.
| Tapir | |
| Medium animal | |
| Hit Dice | 3d8+12 (22 hp) |
| Initiative | +0 |
| Speed | 40 ft. (8 squares) |
| Armor Class | 16 (+6 natural), touch 10, flat-footed 16 |
| Base Attack/Grapple | +2/+4 |
| Attack | Bite -1 melee (1d6+1*) |
| Full Attack | Bite -1 melee (1d6+1*) and 2 stamps -6 melee (1d4*) |
| Space/Reach | 5 ft./5 ft. |
| Special Attacks | – |
| Special Qualities | Hold breath, Low-Light Vision, Scent |
| Saves | Fort +6, Ref +3, Will +2 |
| Abilities | Strength 15, Dexterity 10, Constitution 17, Intelligence 2, Wisdom 13, Charisma 4 |
| Skills | Jump +6, Listen +7, Spot +5 |
| Feats | Alertness, Endurance |
| Environment | Temperate and warm forests |
| Organization | Solitary or herd (5-8) |
| Challenge Rating | 1 |
| Treasure | None |
| Alignment | Always neutral |
| Advancement | 4-5 HD (Medium) |
| Level Adjustment | – |
COMBAT
Tapirs are generally shy, and prefer flight to fight, but if cornered they can deliver vicious bites and stamp with their forelegs.
A tapir’s natural attacks are treated as secondary attacks and add only half the tapir’s Strength bonus to damage. (These secondary attacks are noted with an asterisk in the Attack and Full Attack entries.)
Hold Breath (Ex): A tapir can hold its breath for a number of rounds equal to 4 x its Constitution score before it risks drowning.
Skills: Tapirs have a +4 racial bonus on Swim checks.
Originally appeared in Dragon Magazine #137 (1988).