Protapirus (Latin: "before" (pro), + Brazilian Indian: "tapir" (tapira)[1]) is an extinct genus of tapir known from the Oligocene and Miocene of North America and Eurasia.

[2] The type species is Protapirus priscus from the Late Oligocene of Quercy, France.

[4] The oldest species is the North American P. simplex from the White River Formation.

[6] They were of similar size to modern tapirs, but had more primitive features, such as premolars that were less molariform in shape.

In comparison to more primitive tapiroids, Protapirus had retracted nasal region which may indicate the presence of a trunk.