Okapi
ExploreMammals
Okapi
Okapia johnstoni
The okapi is a gentle animal that looks like a mix between a horse and a zebra! They live in the lush rainforests of Africa and are known for their long necks and beautiful stripes.
Habitat: Rainforests of Africa
Appearance
The Okapi has a reddish-brown, velvety coat with striking zebra-like white stripes on its hindquarters and front legs. Its face is creamy white, contrasting with its large, dark ears and long, bluish-grey prehensile tongue. Males also have short, skin-covered horns called ossicones.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyGiraffidaeGenusOkapia
Category
MammalsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Baby okapis can stand and even nurse just 30 minutes after being born!
Each okapi has a unique pattern of stripes, like a human's fingerprint!
Okapis are the closest living relatives to the giraffe, even though they look different!
Their incredibly long, blue tongue can reach their own ears to clean them!
Special abilities
Ability
Ear Swivel Sound
Okapi can rotate their large ears independently to pinpoint the faintest sounds, helping them detect predators.
Ability
Sticky Tongue Grab
Okapi has a long, prehensile bluish-grey tongue that can reach high leaves and strip them off branches with precision.
Ability
Scent Message System
Okapi has scent glands on their feet that leave a unique, tar-like scent trail, helping them mark territory.
Ability
Forest Camouflage
Okapi has dark stripes on its legs and hindquarters that blend into the dappled light, making it hard to spot.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 190-250 cm
- Weight
- 200-350 kg
- Lifespan
- 15-20 years
- Top Speed
- 55 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 425-496 days
Diet & Feeding
Okapis munch on a variety of leaves, shoots, fruits, and fungi found in their forest home.
Primary Foods
- leaves
- shoots
- twigs
- fruits
- ferns
- fungi
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Leopard
Panthera pardus
Leopards are a primary predator, especially of young okapis.
eats
Wild Banana
Musa acuminata
Consumes leaves from various rainforest plants, including wild banana.
eats
Macaranga tree
Macaranga schweinfurthii
Feeds on leaves and shoots of many rainforest trees.
eats
African Strychnos
Strychnos icaja
Eats fruits and seeds from diverse forest plants, some toxic.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Striped
Marked with parallel bands or lines of color.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Ancient Lineage
This trait signifies organisms belonging to a very old evolutionary group with ancestors dating back millions of years.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Longevous
This trait characterizes organisms with an exceptionally long lifespan compared to others of their kind.
Rainforest
This habitat trait refers to species found in tropical rainforests, characterized by high annual rainfall, high biodiversity, and dense tree cover.
Nocturnal
Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Okapis are gentle animals and are not dangerous. It's always best to admire them from a distance.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Okapi?
190-250 cm
How much does Okapi weigh?
200-350 kg
How long does Okapi live?
15-20 years
How fast can Okapi move?
55 km/h
What does Okapi eat?
Okapis munch on a variety of leaves, shoots, fruits, and fungi found in their forest home.
Where is Okapi usually found?
Rainforests of Africa
How does Okapi hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Okapi usually have?
1
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