I’D LIKE TO KNOW

Q My wife and I caught the end of a nature programme which featured tapirs. Can you settle an argument by telling us if these creatures are carnivorous and tell us a little bit about them? Mr G.S., Arbroath.

A Tapirs are found in Central and South America, as well as Asia. These unusual-looking creatures are herbivores, feeding on leaves and fruit. Their closest relatives in the animal world are horses and rhinos. As well as having an unusual snout, tapirs also have four toes on their front feet and only three toes on their hind feet. They like nothing better than a cooling dip in water and can use their snouts like a snorkel! The tapir’s average lifespan is around 25 to 30 years – providing they can elude their predators, such as jaguars and anacondas.

QWas the legend around the Flying Dutchman ship based on a real ship?

Mr B.T., Portsmouth.

AThe Flying Dutchman is the stuff of nautical myth. However, the legendary ghost ship, which is said to be doomed to sail the seas around the Cape of Good Hope for ever, has been recorded as being “seen” by sailors through the decades. Some say the Dutchman refers to the captain of the vessel rather than the ship itself.

QOne of my all-time favourite songs is the 1977 hit by Mary Mcgregor “Torn Between Two Lovers”. Could you tell me more about her? Ms S.L., Powick.

AThe American singer was born in Minnesota in 1948. “Torn Between Two Lovers” hit the charts in 1977, and though Mary continued in the music business, she couldn’t match the smashhit success of that debut single. Mary is now retired.