The Okapi- Thomas Taylor- B3.pptx - The Okapi Okapia...

The Okapi
Okapia johnstoni

Taxonomy
Infraclass-Eutheria Gill, 1872
Order-Artiodactyla Owen, 1848 – artiodactyls,
porco do mato, veado, cloven-hoofed
ungulates, even-toed ungulates
Family-Giraffidae Gray, 1821 – giraffes
Genus-Okapia Lankester, 1901
Species-Okapia johnstoni (P. L. Sclater, 1901) –
okapi, Okapi

Geographic Distribution
The okapi is native to the Ituri Rainforest in
the Democratic Republic of Congo—the only
place where it can be found in the wild—and
has thick, oily fur to stay dry in the rain. It also
has scent glands on the bottom of its hooves
that help mark its territory.

Life Cycle
Calves are weaned at about six months, although
they may continue to suckle for a year. Yearlings
leave their mother to live mostly solitary lives.
Males develop ossicones (horns) between one
and five years. Lifespan in the wild is difficult to
determine for these secretive animals but in
captivity okapi can live between 20 and 25 years.

Habitat & Ecology
Native to the Democratic Republic of
Congo, okapis are mainly found within
the Ituri Forest and prefer very dense
tropical rainforests. While they usually
remain in the thick vegetation, they also