Okapi
The okapi, 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. 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 stands about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall at the shoulder and has an average body length around 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Its weight ranges from 200 to 350 kg (440 to 770 lb). It has a long neck, and large, flexible ears. Its coat is a chocolate to reddish brown, much in contrast with the white horizontal stripes and rings on the legs and white ankles. Male okapis have short, hair-covered, horn-like protuberances on their heads called ossicones, less than 15 cm (5.9 in) in length. Females possess hair whorls, and ossicones are absent,More info:wiki
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#10 A Tail of Two Okapi,More info:zootampa
While discussing ruminants with my animal nutrition class, I described some health challenges we have had with giraffe and okapi. Every one instantly knows what a giraffe is, but not so much with an okapi and even in this college biology class there were a few puzzled looks. I briefly explained what an okapi was and how it is related to a giraffe. “But what color are they?” One inquisitive mind finally asked. This has always stumped me when trying to describe okapis, but looking out into class and seeing the omnipresent Starbucks cups and the students sipping, it hit me. “Okapi are like upside down raspberry mocha lattes.” All twenty-eight heads dropped and began to jot down notes.
#9 Okapi,More info:sandiegozoo
It’s related to giraffes?! The okapi (pronounced oh-COP-ee) is beautiful and unusual. With its white-and-black striped hindquarters and front legs, it looks like it must be related to zebras! But take a look at an okapi’s head, and you’ll notice a resemblance to giraffes. The okapi is indeed the only living relative of the giraffe. Like a giraffe, the okapi has very large, upright ears, which catch even slight sounds. 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.
#8 Baby okapi put on display at Los Angeles Zoo,More info:cbsnews
LOS ANGELES — The Los Angeles Zoo has put on display a baby okapi, a reclusive species that in the wild is found deep in the now-vanishing dense rainforests of central Africa. Nicknamed the “rainforest giraffe,” okapis are the closest living relative of giraffes but do not grow that tall. They also have zebra-like black-and-white striped patterns on their front and hind legs. Their thick coats are velvety and oily.
#7 Weird and Wonderful #2 – The Okapi,More info:nomadtours
The Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), is a giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Although the okapi bears 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 stands about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) tall at the shoulder and has an average body length of about 2.5 m (8.2 ft). Its weight ranges from 200 to 350 kg (440 to 770 lb). It has a long neck, and large, flexible ears. Its coat is a chocolate to reddish brown, much in contrast with the white horizontal stripes and rings on the legs and white ankles. Male okapis have short, hair-covered horns called ossicones, less than 15 cm (5.9 in) in length. Females possess hair whorls, and ossicones are absent.
#6 World Okapi Day: Celebrating our remarkable history,More info:zoohoo.dallaszoo
The Dallas Zoo has deep roots in the preservation of the okapi species – roots that far exceed North America.
They’re growing steadfastly into Europe, where our renowned breeding program is ensuring the survival of these stunning, mysterious animals from the Congo. And on the first-ever World Okapi Day, we’re sharing our pivotal story to make sure these horse-shaped, zebra-stripe-wearing, giraffe-head-resembling animals never disappear from Earth.
First discovered in 1901 by a British explorer, okapis were incredibly elusive in the wild, earning them the nickname “African unicorn.” The naturally solitary creatures were, and still are, experts at traveling unnoticed in the dense rain forests.
But today, their numbers have drastically dropped. Fewer than 15,000 remain in the Congo, and that’s a generous estimation. Their numbers have fallen by 50 percent in the past 15 years due to illegal poaching, logging and human encroachment.
#5 Zoo shows off okapi named after Meghan Markle,More info:abcnews
#4 Baby Okapi starts to explore,More info:ZSL – Zoological Society of London
#3 Okapi,More info:denverzoo
#2 The Okapi,More info:nomadtours
#1 Rare Okapi Arrive at Yorkshire Wildlife Park,More info:yorkshirewildlifepark
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