|
|
|
Okapi
(Okapia johnstoni)
Looks kind of like a zebra, or maybe a horse, right? Well, the
okapi is actually more closely related to the giraffe! Like
the giraffe, the okapi has a very long tongue that can reach
out and pull tender new leaves off forest trees (it can even
use its tongue to groom its ears!). The males in both species
also have skin-covered horns.
The okapi isn't nearly as tall as the giraffe. It only stands
about 1.5 meters (5 feet) tall. It's also a very hard to study
because its stripes and dark color help to hide it in the
forest and its quick speed allows it to make a fast getaway
whenever it senses danger.
The rain forests in northern Zaire are the okapi's main
habitat, where this animal mostly roams alone and is protected
by the government. Still, the okapi faces threats from
commercial poaching and habitat loss due to increased human
settlement. Most okapis seen in zoos have been obtained from
captive breeding programs rather than having been taken from
the wild.
(use your browser's back button to go back)
Don't Blame Your Pet
|
Ask the Behaviorists |
Name that Animal
Resources |
Transcript
| Animal Hospital Home
Editor's Picks
|
Previous Sites
|
Join Us/E-mail
|
TV/Web Schedule
About NOVA |
Teachers |
Site Map |
Shop |
Jobs |
Search |
To print
PBS Online |
NOVA Online |
WGBH
©
| Updated November 2000
|
|
|