Okapi Appearance
The okapi (oe-cap-pee) also known specifically as the okapia johnstoni is described to look like a cross between a horse, zebra and a giraffe. Okapis have black and white striped legs (zebra) and a fairly long neck (giraffe) with dark brown fur that covers the shoulders, stomach, back, tail, neck, and some of the head. For those of you who strongly believed that it was a giraffe, I have news for you. The okapi is the only relative of the giraffe. However, some similarities are not so noticeable until pointed out. Like the okapi has a long slimy purplish-blue tongue that is used to snatch leaves from high places (trees, tall bushes, etc.). Also, males have tiny horns similar to a giraffe's.
For all those people who thought the okapi was closer to a zebra, well you have a good point as well. The stripes on the okapi's legs are there to be a reminder to young calves to stay close. Also, just like a zebra, it is used as camouflage because most predators see in black and white (for information on predators, click on the "Protection & Predators" page). The stripes mimics the grass pattern.
Last but not least, for all those people who thought it was a horse, its okay! The dark brown coat looks almost as if it belongs to a horse. Also, in the past, scientists have bred zebras and horses together to see the outcome. Some people thought they might have been released or got caught loose. Plus the neck of the okapi is thick and muscular, similar to a horse's and opposite of the giraffe's thin neck.
Okapi Behaviour
First of all, most of the behavioural stuff has to do with territory. Males usually claim more territory than females because females choose to live kind of under the radar. Okapis claim land by urinating in small areas or by rubbing their bodies on trees or bushes, creating a border of some sort. Sometimes males will fight over land and bash necks like the giraffe or use the horns on their heads. However, okapis are very tolerant with other species in their territory.
Males and females usually have a part of their land overlapping with the opposite gender (for mating season reasons). Overall, okapis are not as territorial as most animals because sometimes okapis will choose to graze together is small groups. Other than that they are solitary animals given the exception that most times the females are raising calves.
When okapis are communicating the make chuffing sounds or slight body language.
Okapis rely mostly on their hearing because they cannot see that far. To prevent the snapping of twigs or making any sound, okapis prefer to walk on already set paths. This also makes it easier to walk because hooves were not meant to walk on uneven ground.
The okapi are diurnal, meaning the are active during day. This is both good and bad because some predators are nocturnal. Other are diurnal as well and hunt during the day. This means the okapi must be alert at all times, even at night.
The okapi (oe-cap-pee) also known specifically as the okapia johnstoni is described to look like a cross between a horse, zebra and a giraffe. Okapis have black and white striped legs (zebra) and a fairly long neck (giraffe) with dark brown fur that covers the shoulders, stomach, back, tail, neck, and some of the head. For those of you who strongly believed that it was a giraffe, I have news for you. The okapi is the only relative of the giraffe. However, some similarities are not so noticeable until pointed out. Like the okapi has a long slimy purplish-blue tongue that is used to snatch leaves from high places (trees, tall bushes, etc.). Also, males have tiny horns similar to a giraffe's.
For all those people who thought the okapi was closer to a zebra, well you have a good point as well. The stripes on the okapi's legs are there to be a reminder to young calves to stay close. Also, just like a zebra, it is used as camouflage because most predators see in black and white (for information on predators, click on the "Protection & Predators" page). The stripes mimics the grass pattern.
Last but not least, for all those people who thought it was a horse, its okay! The dark brown coat looks almost as if it belongs to a horse. Also, in the past, scientists have bred zebras and horses together to see the outcome. Some people thought they might have been released or got caught loose. Plus the neck of the okapi is thick and muscular, similar to a horse's and opposite of the giraffe's thin neck.
Okapi Behaviour
First of all, most of the behavioural stuff has to do with territory. Males usually claim more territory than females because females choose to live kind of under the radar. Okapis claim land by urinating in small areas or by rubbing their bodies on trees or bushes, creating a border of some sort. Sometimes males will fight over land and bash necks like the giraffe or use the horns on their heads. However, okapis are very tolerant with other species in their territory.
Males and females usually have a part of their land overlapping with the opposite gender (for mating season reasons). Overall, okapis are not as territorial as most animals because sometimes okapis will choose to graze together is small groups. Other than that they are solitary animals given the exception that most times the females are raising calves.
When okapis are communicating the make chuffing sounds or slight body language.
Okapis rely mostly on their hearing because they cannot see that far. To prevent the snapping of twigs or making any sound, okapis prefer to walk on already set paths. This also makes it easier to walk because hooves were not meant to walk on uneven ground.
The okapi are diurnal, meaning the are active during day. This is both good and bad because some predators are nocturnal. Other are diurnal as well and hunt during the day. This means the okapi must be alert at all times, even at night.