They belong to the order Perissodactyla, which means "odd-toed," and are the only surviving members of the family Tapiridae.
Here's a breakdown of their relationships:
* Odd-toed ungulates: This group is characterized by having a middle toe that is larger and bears more weight than the others. They are all herbivores and have a three-chambered stomach.
* Horses: While they look very different, tapirs and horses share a common ancestor. They both evolved from the Hyracotherium, a small, dog-like creature that lived about 55 million years ago.
* Rhinoceroses: These large herbivores are also related to tapirs, sharing a common ancestor with them and horses. They have a similar body plan, including a long snout and short legs.
Despite their diverse appearances, these animals all share a common evolutionary history and are fascinating examples of the diversity and interconnectedness of life on Earth.