Okapis - Facts for Kids

Basic Information

The okapi (pronounced oh-KAH-pee) is sometimes called the “forest giraffe” because it’s the only living relative of the giraffe!

Okapis live in a very specific part of Africa called the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and nowhere else in the whole world!

The scientific name for okapis is Okapia johnstoni, named after Sir Harry Johnston who helped discover them!

Okapis usually live all by themselves. When you do see more than one, it’s just by chance — there’s no special group name for them!

Okapis usually live around 20 to 30 years in the wild, but with care in zoos, they often live up to about 30 years!

A male okapi is called a bull, a female is called a cow, and a baby is called a calf!

An adult okapi weighs between 440 and 770 pounds (200-350 kilograms), about the same as a small horse!

Okapis stand about 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall at their shoulders, which is as tall as a kitchen counter!

Okapis belong to the family Giraffidae, making them and giraffes the only two living species in this family!

Physical Characteristics

Okapis have special oily, reddish-brown fur that helps keep them dry in the rainy forest!

An okapi’s tongue is so long — about 30–36 cm (12–14 in) — that it can reach its own ears and eyes to clean them! That’s even longer than a ruler!

Okapis have striped legs that look like zebra stripes, which help them blend into forest shadows!

Okapis have large, flexible ears that can rotate independently to hear danger coming from any direction!

Male okapis have short, skin-covered horns called ossicones, while females usually don’t have any!

An okapi’s back legs have special white stripes that help baby okapis follow their mothers through the dark forest!

Okapis have split (cloven) hooves, meaning each hoof separates into two toes, which helps them walk through the forest without making much noise!

The okapi’s fur is so oily that water rolls right off it, like rain on a raincoat!

Okapis have eyes positioned on the sides of their head, giving them a nearly 360-degree view of their surroundings!

Behavior & Intelligence

Okapis are mostly solitary animals, preferring to live alone except when mothers are caring for their calves!

Okapis communicate using quiet coughs and bleats that other animals can’t hear from far away!

Okapis mark their territory using scent glands between their toes, leaving invisible trails wherever they walk!

Okapis spend a good part of their day — about half — to eat leaves and buds. That could be around 6 to 8 hours each day feeding in the forest!

Okapis are most active during the day (diurnal) but may also feed during the night!

Okapis walk the same forest paths every day — creating their own little trail systems through the trees!

When okapis feel threatened, they can run at speeds up to 37 miles per hour (60 kilometers per hour)!

Baby okapis spend most of their first few months hiding in one spot while their mother feeds nearby!

Okapis clean themselves using their long tongues, just like cats do!

Habitat & Survival

Okapis live high in the Congo rainforest — between 1,600 and 4,900 feet (500-1,500 meters) above sea level — where the trees are tall, and the forest is thick!

Okapis prefer forests with lots of undergrowth where they can easily hide from predators!

An okapi’s main predator is the leopard, but their striped legs help them stay camouflaged!

Okapis need to live in areas with clay-rich soils that contain special minerals they need in their diet!

Female okapis usually stick to home areas about as big as 700–1,200 football fields, while males roam even more — up to twice that size!

Okapis share their forest home with over 50 different species (types) of other mammals!

The forest where okapis live stays warm and cozy most of the time — usually between 68 and 80 °F — but sometimes nights or deep shade can feel cooler, too.

Okapis are excellent swimmers and can cross rivers when they need to!

Okapis use their excellent sense of smell to find edible plants in the dense forest!

Life Cycle

Baby okapis can stand up just 30 minutes after they’re born!

An okapi pregnancy lasts about 440 days, which is more than 14 months!

Baby okapis weigh about 35 pounds (16 kilograms) when they’re born, about as much as a three-year-old child!

Mother okapis usually give birth to only one calf at a time!

Baby okapis start eating leaves when they’re about 6 weeks old but continue drinking their mother’s milk for up to a year!

Baby okapis grow fast — about 2½ kilos (5½ pounds) every week during their first year!

Female okapis usually have their first baby when they’re about 3 years old!

Baby okapis learn what plants to eat by watching their mothers!

Okapi calves remain with their mothers for about 9–12 months — nursing, learning, and exploring — before they head off on their own!

Diet & Feeding

Okapis eat over 100 different types of plants in the wild!

An adult okapi eats about 45-60 pounds (20-27 kilograms) of leaves and buds every day!

Okapis use their long tongues to carefully grasp and strip leaves from branches when feeding!

Okapis regularly eat clay and charcoal from burnt trees to help cleanse toxins in their diet!

An okapi’s stomach has four chambers (sections) to help digest tough leaves!