What kind of animal is the okapi, also known as the “forest giraffe”? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. Although they are famous mammals that can always be seen at zoos, they are also endangered animals. The okapi looks like a cross between a deer and a zebra.
What is okapi? About basic status
The okapi, also known as the “giraffe of the forest,” looks like a cross between a deer and a zebra, and its scientific name is Okapia johnstoni. It is an animal belonging to the genus Okapi, in the order Mammalia and order Artiodactyla. It weighs 200-300 kg, is 1.9-2.5 m long, and 1.5-2.0 m high at the shoulder, and has a horse-like appearance. It is characterized by its giraffe-like horns. Like giraffes, it also has two horns covered with skin on its head. However, males have horns, but females do not.
| Japanese（和名） | オカピ |
| English（英名） | Okapi |
| scientific name(学名) | Okapia johnstoni |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、 Artiodactyl、Giraffidae、Okapia 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、キリン科、オカピ属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | ENDANGERED |
| Length（体長） | 1.9-2.5m |
| Weight（体重） | 200 – 300kg |
About classification
The okapi alone forms the genus Okapi. This animal was discovered in Africa in the 1800s and was classified into the family Giraffidae. It is said to be one of the three most rare animals in nature, and there are many photos, images, and videos of okapi species available online. Giraffe and Okapi separated.
■ Basic classification
- 界：動物界（Animalia）
- 門：脊索動物門（Chordata）
- 綱：哺乳綱（Mammalia）
- 目：偶蹄目（Artiodactyla）
- 科：キリン科（Giraffidae）
- 属：オカピ属（Okapia）
- 種：オカピ（Okapia johnstoni）
👉 The only closely related species to the giraffe.
Where is its habitat?
Okapis live in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. They used to live in Uganda too, but they have become extinct. There are no wild ones in Japan now, so if you want to find one, you can see them at the Yokohama Zoo Zoorasia in Kanagawa Prefecture.
① Geographic Distribution
Country: Democratic Republic of the Congo
Region:
Northeastern region, centered on Ituri Forest
Not naturally distributed in other countries
② Specific Environmental Conditions
Okapis live in the following areas:
Lowland to mid-lowland tropical rainforest
Altitude: Approximately 500-1,500m
High temperatures and humidity throughout the year
Dense jungle and abundant undergrowth
Dim forest interiors
👉 Cannot survive in the savanna; fully adapted to forests.
③ Why are they only found deep in the forest?
Body color blends into the shadows of the forest
Excellent hearing and smell
Adapted to environments with poor visibility
Easily avoids predators and humans
👉 “Hiding” is their survival strategy.
feature is? What kind of creature is it?
Okapi lives in grasslands and rainforests and has brown and white stripes on its rump and limbs. It is a large, diurnal animal that prefers to be solitary. Males advertise their territory by scattering urine on their territory. They also form small groups and eat together. It has been suggested that it is a member of the giraffe family, and its appearance resembles a cross between a giraffe and a horse. It is known that the okapi is an animal close to the ancestor of the giraffe.
① Strange Appearance (Horse + Zebra + Giraffe)
Body: Dark Brown to Reddish Brown
Legs: Black and White Stripes (Mainly on the Hind Legs)
Neck: Not as Long as a Giraffe, but Slightly Long
Face: Slender and Gentle
👉 The Contrast in Appearance Is Its Most Distinguishing Feature.
② Giraffidae-like Body Structure
Very Long Tongue (Over 30cm)
Used to Grab Leaves
Also Used to Clean Ears and Eyes
Herbivore with Ruminant Stomach
Males Have Small Skin Horns (Ossicones)
③ Body Color and Senses Specialized for the Forest
Dark Body: Blends Into the Shade
Stripes: May Help Distinguish Between Youngsters and Deter Predators
Highly Acute Hearing and Smell
④ Body Size
Body Length: Approximately 2.0-2.5m
Height (Shoulder): Approximately 1.5-1.7m
Weight: 200-350kg
👉 Larger and Heavier Than They Look
What is your personality like?
Okapis are animals with a great deal of individual variation, with some being cautious, some timid, and some very friendly. They are said to have evolved independently, with hooves similar to those of giraffes.
① Very timid and cautious
Reacts to even the slightest noise
Avoids people and large animals
Disappears before they are seen
👉 “Not being seen” is their best defense
② Generally solitary
Does not form groups
Home ranges overlap, but maintain distance
Minimizes social contact
👉 Prefers solitude
③ Gentle and low-aggression
Does not engage in unnecessary fights
Will not attack unless cornered
Gentle herbivores
④ Moves silently
Very quiet footsteps
Moves quietly through the jungle
Almost never vocalizes
⑤ Sensitive and susceptible to stress
Sensitive to environmental changes
Artificial noise and human proximity are a burden
Difficult to manage in captivity
Personality traits observed in parent-child relationships
Mothers are very cautious
Hides their young in the jungle
Calls only using low-frequency sounds
👉 Quiet and affectionate.
What is the ecology like?
Okapi lives by eating plants such as fruits, leaves, buds, leaves, and twigs. They eat leaves by gathering them with their long tongues. Regarding reproduction, the gestation period is long. It is possible to give birth to one calf at a time in 414 – 493 days. Babies breastfeed for about 6 months and reach sexual maturity in 3 years. Their lifespan is 15-20 years, with some living as long as 33 years.
① Daily rhythm
Morning–afternoon
Move slowly through the forest
Forage for leaves and young shoots
Ruminate in a secluded spot
Evening
Continue foraging
Slightly increased activity
Night
Rest in a safe place
Rarely moves far
👉 Low-energy lifestyle with minimal movement.
② Diet (What do they eat?)
Leaves
Young shoots
Fruit
Ferns
Lichens (replenishes minerals)
Characteristic feeding habits
They entangle leaves with their long tongues
Mainly use leaves 1-3m tall
They rarely eat grass on the ground
③ Home range and sociality
Solo life
Fixed home range
Loosely mark territory with scent
Males do not fight directly with each other
④ Breeding ecology
Breeding
Breeding year-round
Breeding season is unclear
Gestation and birth
Gestation period: Approximately 14-15 months
Little child: 1
Rearing
Baby hides in the forest
Mother breastfeeds regularly
Baby does not defecate for several weeks (scent protection)
👉 Thorough predator protection.
Are there any natural enemies?
The okapi has a natural enemy called the leopard. Parents and children should take good care of each other and escape from danger.
About Okapi Baby
Okapi baby cubs are “hidden in the forest and raised in silence.”
Their most distinctive feature is their extremely secretive parenting.
① They can stand immediately.
Stand up within 30 minutes of birth.
Able to walk within an hour.
Long, strong legs.
👉 They are quick to act, typical of large herbivores.
② Appearance
Body color is a slightly lighter brown.
The stripes on their legs are more pronounced than in adults.
Their faces are round and young.
A special behavior known as “hidden parenting.”
Mother’s behavior
Leaves their baby in the jungle and leaves.
Returns only a few times a day to nurse.
Moves when danger is near.
Baby characteristics
They barely defecate for several weeks.
They don’t emit any odor.
They wait motionlessly.
👉 They have thorough predator protection.
Is the okapi an endangered species?
Unfortunately, the okapi is designated as an endangered species. According to the information provided, it is legally protected in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and is strictly protected. The population is declining due to the following reasons. Some protected areas have been built, making it difficult to manage.
Impact of civil war in the Democratic Republic of the Congo
You can die from the effects of the civil war in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Okapi are often victims of attacks by armed groups, and many are killed.
habitat destruction
The okapi’s biggest concern is habitat destruction. As more and more areas where okapi can live are developed by humans, their habitats are becoming fragmented and isolated.
Hunting for food and leather
Illegal hunting is also a problem. Many zebras are killed by businesses for their meat and leather, and their meat is used commercially. Because they were used for food and died, the zoo protects and breeds these zebras.
Can okapi be kept?
Unfortunately, it is difficult to keep okapis as they are designated as an endangered species. The best you can do is see them in zoos and national parks. Zoos in the United States and Japan have a wide range of exhibits and other content, so we recommend that you go and see them first. They have beautiful stripes. They are often featured in the news, and there are a certain number of places where you can see them, so do your research. In Japan, you can see them at Zoorasia and other places.
① Strictly restricted by law
IUCN Red List: Endangered
CITES Appendix I
International trade is generally prohibited
Nationally protected species in its country of origin (Democratic Republic of the Congo)
👉 There is no way for individuals to acquire or keep them.
② Extremely unique environmental requirements
Okapis require the following environment:
Hot and humid tropical rainforest environment
Quiet, dark spaces
Large home range
Stable vegetation (mainly foliage)
👉 Difficult to reproduce in standard captivity facilities.
③ Highly sensitive to stress
Sensitive to noise and human presence
Easily affected by environmental changes
Stress leads to a weakened immune system
👉 Captivity is likely to pose a survival risk.
④ Breeding is difficult
Highly solitary
Breeding timing is difficult to determine
Long gestation period (approximately 15 months)
👉 Advanced knowledge is required for successful breeding.
コメント