Ask Bostonist: Get to Know Seamus

I've been hearing about a tapir named Seamus on the news. What's a tapir?

Yes, Franklin Park Zoo has a baby tapir newly named "Seamus." "Seamus" just received his name after recovering from a bout with pneumonia, and he's ready to make his debut.

While "Seamus" is a properly Irish name for Boston, a tapir is actually a mammal originating from South America or Malaysia. It resembles an anteater with hooves.

Seamus is a Baird's Tapir, which means he is active during the day and night and prefers plants. In Belize, they call Baird's Tapirs "mountain cows."

However, tapirs aren't all docile and bovine. A tapir can grow to seven feet long and three feet high. Plus, "they are the largest land mammal found in the wild from Mexico to South America." Seamus will eventually be a big boy.

And they can do some damage. In 1998, a tapir bit the arm off an Oklahoma City zookeeper. An AP article we found dated from that time said, "Zoo officials aren't certain why the Malayan tapir named Melody attacked the keeper, who was feeding the animal before the zoo opened. The tapir's 2-month-old baby was also in the cage." So make nice with Seamus.

As a celebration of Seamus' improvement, the Franklin Park Zoo is offering free admission to anyone named "Seamus" on Saturday, May 5, and Sunday, May 6. And, yes, you need to bring ID to prove you go by "Seamus" in real life. You'll find Seamus in the Tropical Forest part of the zoo.

Image of Seamus from Zoo New England.