Is It a Zebra? A Giraffe? No, It's an Okapi

At first glance, many mistake the okapi (pronounced oh-COP-ee) for a zebra relative due to its striking appearance. This assumption is understandable, given its horse-like build — standing approximately 5 feet (1.5 meters) tall and weighing between 440 to 660 pounds (199 to 299 kilograms) — and its hindquarters adorned with reddish-brown and cream stripes.

In truth, the okapi is most closely related to the giraffe, often referred to as a "forest giraffe." Both species share several traits, including long necks, cloven hooves, and short, skin-covered horns. Their skulls are nearly identical, though the okapi's is smaller. Additionally, both possess an exceptionally long, flexible, bluish tongue perfect for stripping leaves from trees and shrubs. This extra-long tongue even allows the okapi to lick its own ears, a rare ability among mammals.

"The okapi is the giraffe's sole living relative," says Rick Schwartz, a global ambassador for California's San Diego Zoo, which houses okapis at both the zoo and its Safari Park, via email. "This species inhabits the dense rainforests of Central Africa, earning it the nickname 'forest giraffe.' While they may not resemble giraffes at first glance, their heads and faces reveal striking similarities, including large ears, eye shape, ossicones (skin-covered horns on the head), and a long, flexible tongue."

Want to learn more about this mysterious animal, found exclusively in the rainforests of northeastern Democratic Republic of the Congo? Here are nine additional intriguing facts.

1. They Weren't Discovered Until the Early 1900s

While indigenous people have known about the okapi for centuries, Western scientists only identified it in the early 20th century, as noted by the Rainforest Alliance. Until then, the Western world considered the okapi a mythical creature, often dubbed the 'African unicorn.' "To my knowledge," Schwartz adds, "the okapi was once as legendary as a unicorn, a striped, donkey-like animal from the rainforest."

2. The Common Ancestor of the Okapi and Giraffe Lived About 16 Million Years Ago

According to a 2015 study in the journal Royal Society Open Science, this ancestor (known as Canthumeryx) had an elongated neck. Following Canthumeryx, the evolutionary path diverged into two branches: one leading to giraffes and the other to okapis. Over time, giraffe ancestors developed longer necks, while okapi ancestors evolved shorter ones.

3. They Have Scent Glands on Their Feet

Schwartz explains that the scent glands on their feet secrete a sticky, tar-like substance wherever they walk. "Each individual's secretion carries a unique scent, almost like a 'signature,'" he notes. "Other okapis can detect this scent easily, thanks to their highly developed sense of smell, which likely allows them to distinguish between individuals."

4. They Have Thick, Oily Fur

The okapi's body is cloaked in dense, velvety, dark reddish-brown fur. This fur is highly oily, allowing rainwater to slide off effortlessly and keeping the animal dry during wet weather.

5. They're Herbivores

As herbivores, okapis consume only plant matter. Schwartz notes that their daily diet consists of "40 to 60 pounds (18 to 27 kilograms) of leaves, twigs, and fruits as they forage through the rainforest." Using their long tongues, they pull down branches and strip off leaves with their mouths before releasing the branch. They also feed on twigs, buds, fungi, fruits, and other vegetation found in the rainforest understory. Additionally, they consume clay from riverbeds, which provides essential minerals and salts not found in plants. Like giraffes, okapis must splay their legs to reach the ground for water.

6. They Typically Give Birth to One Baby at a Time

After a gestation period of 14 to 16 months, okapis give birth to a single calf in a ground nest. Newborns stand about 3 feet (80 centimeters) tall and weigh around 35 pounds (16 kilograms), tripling in size by two months of age. While calves can walk within 30 minutes of birth, they delay defecation until 4 to 8 weeks old. This adaptation helps protect them from predators by minimizing scent trails. Okapis reach maturity at 2 to 3 years and have a lifespan of 20 to 30 years.

7. They Can Be Dangerous

"Like any wild animal, okapis will defend themselves if threatened," Schwartz explains. "They can deliver a powerful kick, comparable to a horse's, but with greater precision and in any direction. Generally, they are solitary and avoid conflicts."

8. You Probably Won't Encounter One in the Wild

Schwartz notes that their elusive behavior and declining numbers make wild encounters rare. "However," he advises, "if you do see one, slowly retreat and give it plenty of space."

9. Okapis Are Endangered

The International Union for Conservation of Nature classifies the okapi as endangered, with population declines exceeding 50% over the past 24 years. Current estimates suggest only 25,000 remain in the wild. "Major threats include mining, oil and gas extraction, urban development, agricultural expansion, and logging," says Schwartz. "To combat this, regional governments have implemented laws to protect habitats and monitor okapi populations."

The Okapi Conservation Project operates in the Democratic Republic of Congo, safeguarding the habitats of the endangered okapi and the indigenous Mbuti pygmies within the Okapi Wildlife Reserve. Recognized as a World Heritage Site, the reserve is among Africa's most biodiverse regions. Its sustainable initiatives and conservation efforts support the area's rich biodiversity and the survival of native species, including the okapi.