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The Okapi was not discovered until the 1900's. It is very rare and because it is so shy, we have little information on it.
Some okapis exist in zoos. It is often called the forest giraffe as it has many characteristics of the giarffe but it lives
in the forests in Africa, such as the Congo.
An okapi can get to 5.5 feet high and has a 7-inch long tail. It weighs about 450-550 pounds. Just like giraffes, once
the female and male mate, the male leaves, and the female gives birth to her baby 15 months later.
Females are actually taller than males. Each has large ears. Okapis communicate with a low tone humans can not even hear.
Okapis are in danger by leopards and hunting, as well as environmental destruction.
(Organization will be fixed as soon as possible)
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Okapis are also inants just like the giraffe. They have short fox colored fur that covers their body, and white strips
on their behind. Their scientific name is Okapia johnstoni, and they are one of the two animals that complete the Giraffidae
family (the giraffe being the other one). Their scientific name was named partly ater the man that discovered the okapi. Just
like the giraffe, the okapi has a long 18-inch tounge that is sticky and traps leaves for the okapi. The okapi eats fungi,
fruit, and leaves. They are solitary animals and active during the day.
To protect their itory, okapis will urin ate on their legs and then walk around, rubbing the i on on grass.
Okapis are ually mature at age 2. They usually live for about 30 years.
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