The Okapi, the only living relative to the giraffe that looks like a zebra 🦓🦒🦓🦓🦒🦒

The okapi (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 of age, 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.
Interdigital glands are present on all four feet and are slightly larger on the front feet. Male okapis have short, hair-covered horn-like structures called ossicones, less than 15 cm in length, which are similar in form and function to the ossicones of a giraffe.[26] The okapi exhibits sexual dimorphism, with females 4.2 cm (1.7 in) taller on average, slightly redder, and lacking prominent ossicones, instead possessing hair whorls.
Okapis are herbivores, feeding on tree leaves and buds, branches, grasses, ferns, fruits, and fungi.[33] They are unique in the Ituri Forest as they are the only known mammal that feeds solely on understory vegetation, where they use their 18-inch-long (46 cm) tongues to selectively browse for suitable plants. The tongue is also used to groom their ears and eyes. They prefer to feed in treefall gaps.
The okapi has been known to feed on over 100 species of plants, some of which are known to be poisonous to humans and other animals. Faecal analysis shows that none of those 100 species dominates the diet of the okapi. Staple foods comprise shrubs and lianas. The main constituents of the diet are woody, dicotyledonous species; monocotyledonous plants are not eaten regularly. In the Ituri forest, the okapi feeds mainly upon the plant families Acanthaceae, Ebenaceae, Euphorbiaceae, Flacourtiaceae, Loganiaceae, Rubiaceae, and Violaceae.
Their main natural predator is the leopard 🐆

[@SuperFunReviews]

Great pics and information in the description

[@arkprice79]

@@SuperFunReviews Thank you very much!!! You should really consider subscribing

[@arkprice79]

Such an unusual but beautiful animal One that wasn't even discovered by scientists until the 20th century

The okapi is my favorite animal

[@arkprice79]

I love the Okapi, too I really do hope we can keep these beautiful animals of the Congo out of the reach of extinction in the future as their population has been cut in half due to habitat loss and hunting for their meat and skin.😓😓😓😓