Baird's tapir  Baird's tapir ("Tapirus bairdii"), also known as the Central American tapir, is a species of tapir native to Mexico, Central America and northwestern South America. It is one of three Latin American species of tapir. Baird's tapir is named for the American naturalist Spencer Fullerton Baird, who traveled to Mexico in 1843 and observed the animals. However, the species was first documented by another American naturalist, W. T. White. The tapir is the largest land mammal in Central America. Like the other Latin American tapirs (the mountain tapir, the South American tapir, and the little black tapir), the Baird's tapir is commonly called "danta" by people in all areas. In the regions around Oaxaca and Veracruz, it is referred to as the "anteburro". Panamanians, and Colombians call it "macho de monte", and in Belize, where the Baird's tapir is the national animal, it is known as the mountain cow. In Mexico, it is called "tzemen" in Tzeltal; in Lacandon, it is called "cash-i-tzimin", meaning "jungle horse" and in Tojolab'al it is called "niguanchan", meaning "big animal". In Panama, the Kunas people call the Baird's tapir "moli" in their colloquial language (Tule kaya), "oloalikinyalilele", "oloswikinyaliler," or "oloalikinyappi" in their political language (Sakla kaya), and "ekwirmakka" or "ekwilamakkatola" in their spiritual language (Suar mimmi kaya). Baird's tapir has a distinctive cream-colored marking on its face, throat, and tips of its ears with a dark spot on each cheek, behind and below the eye. The rest of its hair is dark brown or grayish brown. This tapir is the largest of the four American species and the largest native land mammal in both Central and South America. Baird's tapirs average in length but can range between , not counting a stubby, vestigal tail of , and in height. Body mass in adults can range from . Like the other species of tapirs, they have small, stubby tails and long, flexible proboscises.