Okapi Facts
The okapi is a forest mammal from the Democratic Republic of the Congo with zebra-like striped legs, though its closest living relative is the giraffe.
- Class
- Mammal
- Scientific name
- Okapia johnstoni
- Conservation status
- Endangered (IUCN)
About the okapi
Also called the forest giraffe or zebra giraffe, it stands about 1.5 m at the shoulder, measures around 2.5 m long and weighs 200 to 350 kg. Its chocolate to reddish brown coat contrasts with white ankles and white rings and stripes on the legs. It has a long neck and big, flexible ears. Males grow short ossicones under 15 cm, while females have hair whorls instead.
Okapis live in canopy forests at 500 to 1,500 m. They are mostly active by day and live alone, meeting only to breed. They eat grasses, ferns, fungi, fruits and the buds and leaves of trees. Pregnancy lasts around 440 to 450 days, usually producing one calf that stays hidden, starts solid food at three months and is weaned at six.
Did you know?
- Only two living species make up the family Giraffidae: the giraffe and the okapi.
- The IUCN classifies the okapi as an endangered species.
- In captivity, female okapis come into estrus every 15 days.
Questions about the okapi
Is an okapi related to a zebra?
No. Despite those striped legs, its nearest relative is the giraffe.
Where do okapis live?
In canopy forests at 500 to 1,500 m, mainly in the northeast of the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
Sources
- Wikidata Q82037, checked October 8, 2026
- Wikipedia: Okapi, checked October 8, 2026
Facts are compiled from these open sources and rewritten in our own words. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.