Published on Saturday, May 10, 2025
By the A.M. Costa Rica staff

The danta, also known as Baird’s tapir (Tapirus bairdii), is the largest wild land mammal in Costa Rica and is often described as a "living fossil," one of the few Ice Age survivors still roaming today.

These ancient creatures have withstood multiple glacial periods, including the most recent one roughly 12,000 years ago. Native to Central and South America, dantas are a remarkable link to the region's prehistoric past.

In Costa Rica, modern dantas primarily inhabit tropical regions, including tropical and subtropical forests, swamps, and grasslands, according to the National System of Conservation Areas (SINAC).

An estimated 1,500 dantas live throughout the country, occupying territories from the lowland rainforests such as Corcovado National Park in the Osa Peninsula to the high-altitude peaks like Chirripó National Park in the central volcanic mountain range.

The country also celebrates annually the World Tapir Day on April 27th, aiming to raise awareness and support for tapir conservation efforts.

Dantas are recognizable by their distinctive cream-colored markings on the face, throat, and ear tips, along with a dark spot located behind and below each eye. The rest of their bristly coat is dark brown or grayish brown.

These herbivores typically measure around six feet in length and stand about 30 inches tall. Adults weigh between 150 and 400 kilograms (330 to 880 pounds), with males generally larger than females. Their short, slender legs allow for swift movement through dense vegetation. Each front foot has four toes, while each back foot has three.


The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classified the danta as an endangered species. Its survival is threatened by habitat loss from deforestation, forest fires, and industrial development. In some regions, poaching and disease transmission from domestic animals further endanger the species.

SINAC manages Costa Rica’s national parks and protected areas.

Another impressive sea creature in Costa Rica is the red lionfish (Pterois volitans), an Indo-Pacific reef fish that has become an invasive species along the Caribbean Coast.

Wild Costa Rica provides readers with an opportunity to explore the extraordinary biodiversity that makes the country one of the world’s most ecologically rich destinations.

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Have you ever spotted a danta in Costa Rica? We would like to know your thoughts on this story. Send your comments to news@amcostarica.com