Okapi Unique

Animals Unique | Okapi Unique | Okapi Classification and EvolutionThe Okapi is an elusive herbivore That is found in a small pocket of tropical mountain forest in central Africa. Despite it's Deer-like appearance the okapi is actually one of the last remaining Ancestors of the Giraffe, the which is the tallest animal on Earth.

 

 Along with having a long neck Relatively compared to it's body size, the most striking feature of the okapi is the horizontal stripes are particularly visible on That Their behinds and give this an almost animal-like appearance Zebra. The Okapi is very shy and secretive, so much so in fact That They were not as a distinct species recognised by western science until the 20th century earth. Although seldom seen They are by people, the okapi is not an endangered species as They are thought to be fairly common in their remote habitats.Okapi Anatomy and AppearanceLike it's distant and much larger ancestor, the okapi has a long neck the which not only helps it to reach leaves That are higher up, but also provides the okapi with a tool to both defend Itself and it's territory. The okapi has a red-brown colored coat of fur with horizontal, white striped markings That are found on Their Hind quarters and at the tops of Their legs, and Provide the Okapi with excellent camouflage in the dense jungle. 

 

 

They have white ankles with a dark spot above each Hoof and very thick skin to help protect them from injury. The okapi has a long muzzle and dark head with large ears set-back the which enable the Okapi to detect approaching predators easily. The okapi also has an impressively long tongue, the which is not only black in color but it is also prehensile meaning That it is Able to grab hold of leaves from the branches above.Okapi Distribution and HabitatThe okapi is found in the dense tropical Rainforests of north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo Generally at an altitude That can Vary Between 500 and 1.000 meters, although the majority of individuals are thought to Inhabit areas at roughly 800 meters above sea level. 

 

 

They are incredibly shy and elusive animals and rely Heavily on the very thick foliage around them to protect them from being spotted by predators. The Okapi can also be found in areas where there is a slow-moving fresh water source, but the range of the okapi is very much limited by natural barriers, with unsuitable habitats on all four sides trapping these animals into the 63.000 square kilometers in the Ituri Rainforest . Around a fifth of the rainforest is today made up of the Okapi Wildlife Reserve, the which is a World Heritage Site. Although They are thought to be common in their native region, the okapi has been severely Threatened by habitat loss particularly from deforestation.Okapi Behaviour and LifestyleThe Okapi is a diurnal animal That meaning They are most active during the day when They spend the majority of Their paths set time roaming through the forest in search of food. They are solitary animals with the exception of the time mothers spend with Their calves but are known to tolerate other individuals and may occasionally feed together in small groups for a short period of time. Okapi have overlapping home ranges with lazy tending to occupy a larger territory than Females, the which is marked with both urine and Their necks by rubbing on trees. 

 

 

Males also use Their necks to fight with one other to both settle Disputes over territory and to Compete to mate with a female during the breeding season. Okapis are also known to Communicate with one another using quiet "chuff" sounds and rely Heavily on Their hearing in the surrounding forest where They are not Able to see very far at all.Okapi Reproduction and Life CyclesAfter a gestation period can last for That up to 16 months, the female okapi retreats into the dense vegetation where she Gives birth to a single calf. Like many hoofed-herbivores, the okapi calf is usually Able to stand within half an hour when mother and baby then begin starting to look for a good nest spot. They REMAIN in their nest deep in the undergrowth for the majority of the next two months the which not only helps the calf to develop more rapidly but it also Gives vital protection from hungry predators. Although the female okapi will protect and feed her vulnerable calf, the two are not thought to share the same close bond That Occurs with Numerous other hoofed Mammals. Although They do begin to develop Their white stripes at a fairly young age, the young okapi do not reach full adult size until Their They are roughly three years old. They are weaned at around 6 Generally months old but may continue to suckle from Their mother for more than a year. Okapi Diet and PreyThe Okapi is a herbivorous animal That meaning it survives on a diet comprised of That Is only plant matter. They eat leaves, shoots and Twigs That are drawn into their mouths using long prehensile tongue Their along with fruits, berries and other plant parts. The Okapi will even eat fungi on occasion and is known to eat more than 100 different types of plants, many of the which are poisonous to other animals and Humans. Along with the vast variety of consuming a plant material, the Okapi is also known to eat a reddish clay That provides essential salt and minerals to it's plant-based diet. 

 

 

The Okapi spends a great deal of the daylight hours in search of food and walks along well-trodden Quietly paths That it uses regularly to Ensure an Easier escape from predators.Okapi Predators and ThreatsDue to the fact That the Okapi inhabits Such a secluded region of mountain rainforest, it actually has surprisingly few common predators particularly in comparison to similar species. The main predator of the okapi is the Leopard, the which is one of the world's largest and most powerful felines and an animal spends a lot of That time resting in the trees. Unlike other predators the which the hearing would Okapi's acute sense of moving through the undergrowth, the Leopard's position above ground That means They are Able to both survey the surrounding area for potential prey and are also Able to Ambush it from above. Other predators of the Okapi include the Serval and Human hunters in the area, but the biggest threat to the world's population okapi habitat loss is due to deforestation.Okapi Interesting Facts and FeaturesOne of the most distinctive features of both the Okapi and the Giraffe is the which Their long prehensile tongue can not only be used to grab onto leaves and branches but it also assists the animal when grooming. The tongue of the okapi is in fact so long, that They are one of the few animals in the world That are said to be Able to lick Their Own ear! Although quite rare and They are very secretive animals, there were sightings of the okapi in these forests but these INVOLVED Generally seeing the animal from behind and so the okapi was known by many as a Forest Zebra. The okapi was not classified as a distinct species until 1900 - 1901, when Harry Johnston sent two pieces of Zebra-like skin to London, the which was analysed and Meant That a new species had been recorded. Okapi Relationship with HumansUntil the beginning of the last century, the okapi Itself was not known to western Scientists but the native people of the region were known to hunt this rare and elusive animal for both it's meat and it's thick hide. Today this secretive animal is still seldom seen in the high mountain Rainforests of central Africa both due to it's shy nature and it's excellent camouflage amongst the dense foliage, so much of what we know about the okapi is from observations of individuals found in zoos and animal institutions around the world. 

 

 

This however was not really until the introduction of Successful planes as the trauma endured by the animal on trains on boats Often Meant That there was a high mortality rate of the individuals were captured That.Okapi Conservation Status and Life TodayAlthough They are thought to be fairly common throughout naturally isolated Their range, the okapi has been listed by the IUCN as an animal That Is Near Threatened from extinction in it's natural environment. This is due to the increase of of deforestation in parts of Their natural habitat along with the fact That They are Becoming increasingly caught on Snares and other traps are set by That locals to catch other animals. The Okapi has been protected by law in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formally Zaire) since 1933, and the IUCN That last estimated there were 10.000 and 35.000 Between individuals left in the wild.

Okapi Unique Facts
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: mammals
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Giraffidae
Genus: Okapia
Scientific Name: Okapia johnstoni
Common Name: Okapi
Other Name (s): Forest Zebra
Group: Mammal
Number Of Species: 1
Location: central Africa
Habitat: Dense mountain rainforest
Colour: Red, Brown, Black, White
Skin Type: Fur
Size (L): 1.5m - 2m (4.9ft - 6.5ft)
Weight: 200kg - 300kg (440lbs - 660lbs)
Top Speed: 60kph (37mph
Diet: Herbivore
Prey: Leaves, Shoots, Fruit
Predators: Leopard, Serval, Human
Lifestyle: Diurnal
Group Behaviour: Solitary
Life Span: 20-30 years
Age Of Sexual Maturity: 2-3 years
Gestation Period: 15 months
Average Litter Size: 1
Name Of Young: Calf
Of Weaning Age: 6 months
Conservation Status: Near Threatened
Estimated Population Size: 22.000
Biggest Threat: Habitat loss
Most Distinctive Feature: Horizontal white stripes on the rear and legs
Fun Fact: Eats more than 100 different types of plants!