Okapi

Okapis are one of the most unusual looking and least known of the world’s large mammals.  In some ways they resemble giraffes, antelopes and zebras.  Okapis inhabit the dense Congo rainforests of central Africa, which offer many hiding places for even the largest creatures.  Due to this fact, the Okapi was only discovered in 1900.  Finding them in their rainforest home is difficult enough, studying them in the wild is an even greater challenge.  For these reasons, the Okapi probably has many secrets awaiting discovery.

Physical Description

The Okapi is a large hoofed mammal which has longer front legs than hind legs, like it’s cousin, the giraffe.  Okapi males have a small pair of skin covered horns called ossicones.  An Okapi’s short velvety coat may appear reddish to purple to black depending on the way sunlight shines upon it.  An Okapi’s most noticeable features are it’s legs which have black and white stripes like a zebras.  This striping helps to camouflage the animal in the sun and shadow of the rainforest.  Okapis can reach 8 feet in length and weigh up to 770 pounds.  Females may be up to 110 pounds heavier than males.

Family Life

Okapis are solitary, meaning they live alone.  Mother Okapis normally give birth to just 1 baby, called a calf.  Calves spend almost all of their time hiding in a ground nest hidden in thick vegetation.  A mother Okapi will visit her calf often, allowing the baby to nurse.  Mother Okapis are also very protective and will defend their young with sharp hooves, against rainforest predators such as leopards.  Okapi calves grow quickly and will set out on their own to explore the vast rainforest by the time they are 2 to 3 years old. 

Diet

Leaves, soft twigs, shoots, fruits and other plant matter