Why baby tapirs are called “walking watermelons”: What their strange appearance really means

Tapir babies are often described based on the physical appearance that makes them appear as “walking watermelons.” However, these physical traits serve a much larger purpose than just looking odd. The stripes and spots on their bodies are adaptations for surviving in dense forested habitats.From their birth until the time they are mature, these animals face constant threats from predators and therefore must rely on the ability to conceal themselves rather than to run or overpower a predator. As a result, they stand out in their surroundings; their unique body patterns allow them to hide from their environment.All baby tapirs have the same pattern with dark brown fur streaked and spotted with white. This pattern is called “disruptive colouration,” which acts as camouflage.It breaks their body outline, helping them to hide from predators. In forests where sunlight comes through the leaves unevenly, the ground looks patchy. The baby tapir’s markings look similar to this pattern, which helps it stay hidden when it stays still.The “watermelon-like” pattern is only temporary and changes as the tapir grows. According to the research “Growth rate & pelage colour changes of a captive bred Malayan tapir (Tapirus indicus),” the striped and spotted coat starts to fade within weeks and transforms into the adult colour pattern by around 15 weeks of age.As tapirs mature in size, their dependence on camouflage decreases. Rather, it is their size, alertness, and behaviour that help them avoid the predators. This shift explains the disappearance of the spotted fur coat at an early stage of a baby tapir’s life. Baby tapirs are born relatively well-developed young animals. After just a few hours of being born, they can stand up and walk on their own, and are able to swim within days. Much of a baby tapir's earliest life will be spent out of sight. Tapir mothers typically leave their calves hidden in dense vegetation while they go out to feed around and return to nurse them. During this time, their striped coat plays an important role in keeping them undetected.Tapirs inhabit the dense forests in places such as Central and South America and Southeast Asia. The Malayan tapir is the only species of tapir that is found in Asia, and it has adapted to the tropical rainforest environment.Their environments are filled with predators, and visibility is often limited due to the dense forest. Their patterned fur camouflage becomes a better option in such an environment to save themselves from the predators. The colouration of the coat of the young tapir blends it with the environment.The watermelon-like pattern of baby tapirs is not just an interesting feature; it is a survival tool that works during their most vulnerable stage of life. As they grow, this need for camouflage decreases, and their appearance changes accordingly.As they mature, the tapirs do not require this camouflage anymore, and hence, the changes occur. This proves how animals adapt according to what they need while they develop as they live in certain environments. What appears bizarre might be necessary because the way animals appear is rarely random.