File:Saint-Aignan_(Loir-et-Cher)._Okapi.jpg · Wikimedia Commons · See Wikimedia Commons

EntityQ82037· pop 98· linked from 538 articles

Okapia johnstoni

Also known as okapi, forest giraffe, Congolese giraffe, zebra giraffe

The okapi (; Okapia johnstoni), also known as the forest giraffe, zebra giraffe and Congolese 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. 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.

OverviewAI-generated

Okapia johnstoni, commonly known as the okapi, is a species of mammal in the family Giraffidae. It belongs to the genus Okapia and was described by P.L. Sclater in 1901. The animal is diurnal, with a gestation period of 14.5 months and a litter size of 1. Its mass is 250, and the longest observed lifespan is 33.5 years in captivity.

The IUCN Red List classifies the okapi as Endangered, a status assigned in 2015. Records from iDigBio indicate occurrences in the Dr Congo, Zaire, and the United States, with specimens held by institutions including RBINS-SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE, FMNH, UNSM, DMNS, and AMNH. The species has 315 recorded occurrences in GBIF data.

Synthesized by Vinony from 36 facts across 7 sources: Wikidata, GBIF, IUCN Red List, Gbif Occ, Encyclopedia of Life, iDigBio, Vinony graph. Generated from structured data (not the Wikipedia text) and checked against those facts — may still contain errors.

Species

Endangered

Okapia johnstoni

SPECIES

KingdomAnimalia
PhylumChordata
ClassMammalia
OrderArtiodactyla
FamilyGiraffidae

Observations recorded315

Maximum longevity: 33.5 years (captivity)

via GBIF · IUCN

Museum specimens

Specimen records: 167
With media: 25
Family: Giraffidae
Collections: RBINS-SCIENTIFIC HERITAGE, FMNH, UNSM, DMNS, AMNH
Recorded in: Dr Congo, Zaire, United States

iDigBio →

Wikidata facts

Instance of: taxon
Parent taxon: Okapia
Mass: 250
Image: Okapi and son.jpg

Show 14 more facts

taxon rank: species
IUCN conservation status: Endangered status
taxon name: Okapia johnstoni
Commons category: Okapia johnstoni
Commons gallery: Okapia johnstoni
described by source: Encyclopædia Britannica 11th edition
taxon common name: okapi
gestation period: 14.5
litter size: 1
longest observed lifespan: 33.5
sequenced genome URL: www.dnazoo.org/assemblies/Okapia_johnstoni
different from: Okapi
diel cycle: diurnality
short name: O. johnstoni

Sources (4)

via Wikidata · CC0

~20 min read

Encyclopedic overview

14 sections

Contents

Etymology and taxonomy
Evolution
Description
Ecology and behaviour
Diet
Reproduction
Distribution and habitat
Status
Threats and conservation
Okapis in zoos
See also
References
Further reading
External links

The okapi stands about tall at the shoulder and has a typical body length around . Its weight ranges from . 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 in length. Females possess hair whorls, and ossicones are absent.

Excerpted from Wikipedia’s “Okapia johnstoni” article, available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence.