Scientists have uncovered a new tapir in Brazil: Tapirus kabomani. Credit: Cozzuol et al.

A fifth species of tapir has been discovered in South America. The scientists have named the newly discovered species “Tapirus kabomani” which is derived from what the local inhabitants call them.

The tapir has been confirmed to live in the jungles of both Brazil and Colombia. According to the scientists, this is probably the biggest zoological discovery made this century.

It is the first new species of ungulates that have been discovered for over a hundred years. Tapirus kabomani appears very similar to the lowland tapir (Tapirus terrestris), but slightly smaller.

It is believed that a fully grown Tapirus Kabomani can weigh up to 110 kilograms (243 lbs). This can be compared to the 320 kilograms (728 lbs) of a fully grown lowland tapir.

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A new species of tapir from the Amazon
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