The Okapi

Right now you’re probably thinking, ˜What’s an okapi?” Because most people have never heard of one. The scientific name is Okapia johnstoni, but let’s start with the pronunciation of okapi. Oh-kah-pee, (oh as in ˜oh my”, kah as in cap and pee as in the letter P). They were very recently discovered (1900, only 107 years ago). Though the okapi is not listed as endangered; they are listed as near threatened; it is hard to know for sure because you can’t get good population counts in the dense forest.

The okapi is a mammal from central Africa. They inhabit the moist, dense parts of the Ituri Rainforest at middle elevations within their range. They have a generally dark brown velvet-like coat. They have a distinctive pattern of horizontal stripes on the upper legs, like a zebra. The lower legs are white, with dark joints. Their horse-like head is lighter, with a black muzzle and is supported by a thick, long neck.

Though the legs resemble a zebra’s, the okapi is most closely related to the giraffe. Like a giraffe, the okapi's long prehensile tongue enables it to grip and pull leaves. The tongue is about 35 cm in length and long enough for the animal to lick its own eyelids as part of its grooming. The male also has skin-covered 'horns' like a giraffe. But unlike a giraffe, the neck is much shorter. They are about 6-7 ft long, 5 ft. tall at the shoulder and weigh 450-550 pounds.

Their diet consists of mainly leaves, buds and shoots. Many of the plants that okapis eat are poisonous to humans. Okapis also eat grasses, fruits, ferns, and fungi.

The okapi is active during the day, using fixed paths in the jungle. To find mates, okapis use their great sense of smell. Okapis are usually silent, but they sometimes make mooing, bleating, or chuffing noises. On the other hand, young okapis have a wide variety of sounds, including coughs, bleats, and whistles. Mothers are very protective of their young, defending them strongly. Adults usually live solitary, or in temporary small groups.

The changing politics of central Africa and the continued loss of habitat threaten the beautiful okapi. Fortunately, in 1952, one-fifth of okapi habitat in Africa’s Ituri Forest was set aside as a wildlife reserve. The Okapi Wildlife Reserve continues today to protect and to support study of this rare and unusual animal.

Okapi Fun Facts

• The Okapi was the last large mammal to be discovered.
• The okapi and the giraffe are the only animals in the Giraffidae family.
• The Okapi is the only mammal that can clean its ears with it’s tongue.
• Okapi’s don’t poop until they are between 4 and 8 weeks old so predators can’t easily sniff them out.
• Females are just slightly taller than males but weigh 55 to 110 pounds more!
• Okapi’s can sleep for only 5 minutes a day and remain alert!

- Hayley, 13, USA (PenPal #6164)