Okapi
Name: OkapiScientific Name: Okapi johnstoni
Basic Information:
The Okapi comes from the family Giraffidae. As suggested by the name, the Okapi is related to Giraffe, but is much smaller in stature without the characteristic long neck. Adults typically stand between 1.5 m and 2m at the shoulder and weigh around 225 kg. One of the Okapi's most striking features is its extremely long tongue (usually around 30 cm long), which allows it to not only strip foliage from trees but to also wash its own ears and eyelids! Okapis are also able to mark their territory using special glands in their feet. This is an important function since Okapis are solitary animals.
Habitat Information:
Tropical Rain Forest - Found near and along the equator, tropical rain forests contain the world's most diverse and complex ecosystems. The most famous rain forest is the Amazon of South America, containing amazing species such as the vitória-régia, the world's largest flower, which can grow larger than 6 feet according to the World Wildlife Fund.
Okapis at Windaroo:
Okapis live at Windaroo Zoo in the tropical rain forest habitat and are part of ongoing efforts to increase the animals population numbers worldwide.
Related Animals:
Cassowary
Harpy Eagle
Iguana
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