How to Draw a Tapir

1. Begin the tapir outline by drawing a long curved line. This will become its face and snout. Then, draw the eye - an oval inside an irregular round shape. Shade the oval.

2. Use a series of curved lines to detail the tapir's face. Use two lines to complete the snout, noting the overlap at the nostril, and another for the bottom of the head. Then contour the snout and around the eye.

3. Draw the top of the head and the ears. For each ear, extend a curved line and double it back on itself. Then use another curved line to contour the ear.

4. Use overlapping curved lines to draw the neck and chest, as well as the sides of the front leg.

5. Draw the three toes of the tapir's foot. Use two short lines for each toe, and connect them with a round toenail at the end. Then extend a long curved line to form the animal's belly.

6. Extend a long curved line from the back of the neck to form the tapir's back and the back of its rear leg.

Use another curved line for the front of the leg. Begin drawing the toes using short lines and rounded shapes.

7. Complete the toes of the rear foot. Then use long curved lines to draw the sides of the remaining front leg.

8. Draw the toes, using pairs of short lines and rounded shapes. Then, use two curved lines to draw the sides of the remaining rear leg.

9. Draw the toes of the rear leg, and contour the neck and shoulder with curved lines.

Your cartoon tapir drawing is now complete. Color your cute animal.

South American tapirs are black, brown, reddish, or gray, but the Malayan tapir is black with a big white patch on its rump. Baby tapirs are brown with yellowish streaks and spots.