What are the okapis relatives?
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.
Do okapi live in groups?
Okapi are not social animals. They do not seek companionship, although they may feed together in small groups for a short period of time. They prefer to live alone in large, secluded areas (which is becoming increasingly difficult for them as their rainforest habitat shrinks).
What is a group of okapis called?
herd
A group of okapis is called a herd, though they are typically solitary animals.
How many offspring do okapis have?
one baby
Offspring. Female okapis typically only give birth to one baby at a time. Birth comes after a gestation period of 14 to 16 months, and the young is born in a nest on the ground. Baby okapis are called calves.
Do okapis live in groups?
What family does the okapi belong to?
family Giraffidae
Okapi, (Okapia johnstoni), cud-chewing hoofed mammal that is placed along with the giraffe in the family Giraffidae (order Artiodactyla). It serves as the flagship species (a popular species that has become a symbol for the conservation of a region) for the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Why do Okapi have long tongues?
Their Tongue Is Long Enough to Clean Their Eyes and Ears This task is made easier by their prehensile tongue, which can grow up to 12 to 14 inches (30 to 36 cm) long, allowing it to wrap around branches and strip them of foliage.
Which is the only living relative of the okapi?
The Giraffe is the only living relative of Okapis although they resemble the body structure and coat of a Zebra. The Okapi was not discovered by the Western world until the end of 19th century. Okapis are very elusive and shy creatures that are rarely seen by people. Due to their preference to stay within dense tropical rainforest and…
Where does the okapi Giraffe live in the world?
Species of mammal. The okapi (/oʊˈkɑːpiː/; Okapia johnstoni), also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe, or zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal native to the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa.
What kind of plants does an okapi eat?
Okapis eat tree leaves and buds, grass, ferns, fruit and fungi. Many of the plant species fed upon by the okapi are known to be poisonous to humans.
What kind of animal is an okapi herd?
A group of okapis is called a herd, though they are typically solitary animals. What layer of the rainforest does the okapi live in? Okapis live on the floor layer of the rainforest. How do okapi protect themselves?
What kind of habitat does an okapi live in?
The okapi also has a long, dark, prehensile tongue, just like a giraffe’s, to help it strip the buds and young leaves from the understory brush of its rainforest home. Okapis are hard to find in their native habitat, which is the Ituri Forest, a dense rainforest in Central Africa.
How old is an okapi when it becomes an adult?
The young okapi mature into adults at 2 years old, leaving to establish their own home range. The okapi and the giraffe are the only members of the giraffe family. Newborn okapis do not defecate for the first month of their life to prevent predators from locating them.
Is the okapi the only member of the giraffe family?
The okapi and the giraffe are the only members of the giraffe family. Newborn okapis do not defecate for the first month of their life to prevent predators from locating them. Okapis have a 30 cm long prehensile tongue. Okapis can retract their eyeballs into their skull to protect their eyes when travelling through thick undergrowth.
How big is an okapi compared to a horse?
The Okapi is a fairly large mammal. It stands around 1.5m (5 feet) tall at the shoulders and its body is around 2.5m (8 feet) in length. It is similar in shape to a horse, but has a longer neck. Female okapis are slightly taller and heavier than the males. Okapis have small heads and big ears.
