Okapi

## Description

The okapi (Okapia johnstoni), also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe, or zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. Although the okapi has striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe. The okapi and the giraffe are the only living members of the family Giraffidae.

The okapi was not discovered until 1901. Okapia johnstoni, its taxonomic name, honors its native Central African name, as well as the man who ‘discovered’ it, the British explorer Sir Harry Johnston, naturalist, and colonial administrator. Native pygmies in Central Africa had known about this animal, which they thought of as a type of horse, for generations, and this was the description of it they gave to Sir Henry Morton Stanley (the man who found Dr. Livingtone, reportedly with the words, ‘Dr. Livingstone, I presume’). The okapi is, in fact, a forest-dwelling relative of the giraffe.

## Appearance

The okapi is a medium-sized giraffid, standing 1.5 m (4 ft 11 in) tall at the shoulder. Its average body length is about 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) and its weight ranges from 200 to 350 kg (440 to 770 lb). It has a long neck and large and flexible ears. In sharp contrast to the white horizontal stripes on the legs and white ankles, the okapi's coat is a chocolate to reddish brown. The distinctive stripes resemble those of a zebra. These features serve as an effective camouflage amidst dense vegetation. The face, throat, and chest are greyish-white. Interdigital glands are present on all four feet and are slightly larger on the front feet. Male okapis have short, hair-covered horn-like structures called ossicones, less than 15 cm (5.9 in) in length, which are similar in form and function to the ossicones of a giraffe. Females of this species are 4.2 cm (1.7 in) taller on average, slightly redder than males, and lack prominent ossicones, instead possessing hair whorls.

## Distribution

Okapis are endemic to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where they occur north and east of the Congo River. They range from the Maiko National Park northward to the Ituri rainforest, then through the river basins of the Rubi, Lake Tele, and Ebola to the west and the Ubangi River further north. Smaller populations exist west and south of the Congo River. Okapis are also common in the Wamba and Epulu areas. These animals inhabit canopy forests and occasionally use seasonally inundated areas; however, they do not occur in gallery forests, swamp forests, and habitats disturbed by human settlements. In the wet season, they visit rocky inselbergs that offer forage uncommon elsewhere.

## Behavior

Okapis are diurnal, being most active in the daytime, spending most of their time traveling along set paths within the forest foraging. They are solitary except for mothers with calves but will tolerate other individuals, occasionally feeding together for short periods of time in small groups. They have overlapping home ranges, males tending to have larger territories than females, which an individual will mark with both urine and rubbing its neck on trees. Males travel continuously within their habitats, while females remain in their territories continuously. The males use their necks also to fight one another both to settle disputes about territory and when competing for access to females in the breeding season. They communicate using quiet "chuff" noises and in the forest, they strongly rely on their hearing, as they do not have good eyesight.

## Diet

Okapis are mainly herbivores (folivores). They eat the leaves, shoots, and buds of over 100 species of forest vegetation. They also eat grasses, ferns, fruits, and fungi.

## Reproduction

Okapis are solitary in the wild, primarily coming together for mating, which indicates a polygynous mating system (one male mating with multiple females). Young are born from August through October. After a gestation of up to 16 months, a mother retreats into dense vegetation to give birth to a single offspring. Usually, the calf can stand within 30 minutes and the mother and her baby begin looking for a good nest place. They stay in the nest for two months, affording the necessary protection from hungry predators. The calf is usually weaned at about the age of 6 months but may suckle from its mother for over a year. The youngest female in captivity to breed was the age of 1 year and 7 months, and the youngest male, 2 years 2 months.

## Population

### Threats

Deforestation and loss of habitat to agriculture and human settlements are threats for the okapi. They are also poached for meat and their unique pelts.

### Number

According to the IUCN Red List resource, the total population size of the okapi is around 35,000-50,000 individuals. According to the UNESCO resource, the total population size is 30,000 individuals. Currently, okapis are classified as endangered (EN) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are decreasing.

### Ecological niche

Being herbivores, okapis may have a role in the structuring of plant communities. They may also affect predator populations, as items of prey.

## Fun Facts

The okapi is an animal known to ancient Egyptians. Soon after being discovered by Europeans, an ancient carved okapi image was found in Egypt. Europeans in Africa had for years heard about an animal that they called ‘the African unicorn’.

An okapi's tongue measures 18 inches long and is able to reach its eyes and ears with it, being one of a few mammals that is able to lick its own ears.

Being very elusive and shy, okapis were not discovered until 1901.

Okapi are pacers like giraffes, simultaneously stepping with the front and back legs on the same side instead of moving alternate legs like other ungulates.

Okapis often rub their necks against trees, leaving a brown exudate.

Newborns do not defecate before 4 to 8 weeks old. This helps keep them undetected by their predator’s sharp sense of smell while still small and weak.