This article is about the animal. For other uses, see Okapi (disambiguation).
Okapi
Male okapi at Beauval Zoo
Conservation status
Endangered (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:
Eukaryota
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Chordata
Class:
Mammalia
Order:
Artiodactyla
Family:
Giraffidae
Genus:
Okapia Lankester, 1901
Species:
O. johnstoni
Binomial name
Okapia johnstoni
(P.L. Sclater, 1901)
Range of the okapi
The okapi (/oʊˈkɑːpiː/; Okapia johnstoni), also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo in central Africa. However, non-invasive genetic identification has suggested that a population has occurred south-west of the Congo River as well.[2] It is the only species in the genus Okapia. 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 ft 11 in) tall at the shoulder and has a typical body length around 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in). 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, distinct 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.
Okapis are primarily diurnal, but may be active for a few hours in darkness. They are essentially solitary, coming together only to breed. Okapis are herbivores, feeding on tree leaves and buds, grasses, ferns, fruits, and fungi. Rut in males and estrus in females does not depend on the season. In captivity, estrus cycles recur every 15 days. The gestational period is around 440 to 450 days long, following which usually a single calf is born. The juveniles are kept in hiding, and nursing takes place infrequently. Juveniles start taking solid food from three months, and weaning takes place at six months.
Okapis inhabit canopy forests at altitudes of 500–1,500 m (1,600–4,900 ft). The International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources classifies the okapi as endangered. Major threats include habitat loss due to logging and human settlement. Illegal mining and extensive hunting for bushmeat and skin have also led to a decline in populations. The Okapi Conservation Project was established in 1987 to protect okapi populations.
^Mallon, D.; Kümpel, N.; Quinn, A.; Shurter, S.; Lukas, J.; Hart, J.A.; Mapilanga, J.; Beyers, R.; Maisels, F. (2015). "Okapia johnstoni". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2015: e.T15188A51140517. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2015-4.RLTS.T15188A51140517.en. Retrieved 19 November 2021.
^Stanton, D.; Hart, J.; Vosper, A.; Kümpel, N.; Wang, J.; Ewen, J.; Bruford, M. (2016). "Non-invasive genetic identification confirms the presence of the Endangered okapi Okapia johnstoni south-west of the Congo River". Oryx. 50 (1): 134–137. doi:10.1017/S0030605314000593.
The okapi (/oʊˈkɑːpiː/; Okapia johnstoni), also known as the forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic...
In information retrieval, Okapi BM25 (BM is an abbreviation of best matching) is a ranking function used by search engines to estimate the relevance of...
The Okapi Framework is a cross-platform and open-source set of components and applications that offer extensive support for localizing and translating...
Okapi Aalst is a Belgian professional basketball club from Aalst, Belgium. The club competes in the top tier BNXT League and plays its home games in the...
or conical skin-covered bone structures on the heads of giraffes, male okapi, and some of their extinct relatives. Ossicones are distinguished from the...
Okapi Forum is a multi-purpose arena in Aalst, Belgium. Okapi Forum holds room for 2,800 people for basketball games. It hosts the home games of the BNXT...
The Okapi Wildlife Reserve (French: Réserve de faune à okapis) is a wildlife reserve in the Ituri Forest in the north-east of the Democratic Republic...
interpretation) and the okapi (the only known species of Okapia). Both are confined to sub-Saharan Africa: the giraffe to the open savannas, and the okapi to the dense...
Radio Okapi is a radio network that operates in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. On an annual budget of USD$4.5 million, a staff of 200 provide news...
The Okapi is a 6×6 mine-protected vehicle (MPV) which can be configured for use in various roles: command and control, fire control post or specialised...
The Okapi Conservation Project (OCP) was founded in 1987 for the protection of the okapis (Okapia johnstoni) and their habitat. Okapis are found only in...
under the family Giraffidae, along with its closest extant relative, the okapi. Its scattered range extends from Chad in the north to South Africa in the...
Okapi (in French). 2021-02-24. Retrieved 2023-05-26. "RDC : Sama Lukonde débute les consultations pour la formation de son gouvernement". Radio Okapi...
Giraffidae. The only extant members in the superfamily are the giraffes and okapi. The Climacoceratidae are also placed in the superfamily, but were originally...
company's current Okapi product line, of sophisticated control systems for solar collectors, is featured on the Kickstarter website. Okapi: a sophisticated...
Radio Okapi. 22 November 2012. Retrieved 22 November 2012. "Sake: les affrontements entre FARDC et M23 font 4 morts" (in French). Radio Okapi. 23 November...
Palaeotragus ("ancient goat") is a genus of very large, primitive, okapi-like giraffids from the Miocene of Africa and Eurasia. Palaeotragus primaevus...
Fondation Hirondelle, operate one of country's leading stations, Radio Okapi. The network employs mostly-Congolese staff and aims to bridge political...
Okapi (in French). 2014-06-27. Retrieved 2023-04-12. "Uvira : les déplacés de Bwegera appellent le gouvernement à assurer leur sécurité". Radio Okapi...
bonobo (or pygmy chimpanzee), the African forest elephant, mountain gorilla, okapi, forest buffalo, leopard and, further south in the country, the southern...
ancestor between giraffes and okapi emerged an estimated 11.5 mya. The closest living relative to both giraffes and okapi outside of Africa is the North...
d'intervention". Radio Okapi (in French). 2013-03-10. Retrieved 2023-05-25. "Nord-Kivu: les FARDC ont tué 17 miliciens APCLS à Kitobo". Radio Okapi (in French)....
went undrafted in the 2011 NBA draft. On August 4, 2011, he signed with Okapi Aalstar of Belgium for the 2011–12 season. He was a starter for the Belgian...
Global Information
