RW

__Okapi__  //Okapia johnstoni//

Lankester, 1901 || Okapi are living things because:
 * ~ Scientific classification ||
 * Kingdom: || Animalia ||
 * Phylum: || Chordata ||
 * Class: || Mammalia ||
 * Order: || Artiodactyla ||
 * Family: || Giraffidae ||
 * Genus: || Okapia
 * Species: || O. johnstoni ||

Growth and Development: Okapi are mammals and are 30 to 65 pounds at birth. They live about 30 years in captivity but there is not enough information on them to know how long they live in the wild. They will begin to nurse in 20 minutes and can stand in 30. During their 6 months of nursing, young Okapi will hide in a nest where they can quickly and safely grow and develop. After the 6 months the now grown Okapi will leave the nest and its mother to roam and find territory as an adult. []

Reproduction: Okapi are mostly solitary creatures unless coming together to breed. Breeding behavior can be sniffing, circling, and licking each other. Exceptions to their lonesome can me mothers and offspring. Okapi mate all year long but especially in the months of May, June, November, and December. When mating is complete the two parents usually go their separate ways. []

Respond to Environment: Okapis usually are alone, save for offspring, and have large territories that they mark out by rubbing their necks on tree bark. Due to the destruction of rain forests many Okapi have died or have been forced to find a new home. They live in remote African rain forests and their peculiar markings make for excellent camouflage. Because of heavy rain fall Okapi have thick fur coats. [] [] Here is how the Okapi meets it's needs: Air: The Okapi breaths normally and has the same kind of respiratory system as a giraffe Water: Okapi drink water from what ever kind of streams, rivers, ponds, lakes, etc. that are in their territory. media type="custom" key="24177336" align="left" width="70" height="70" Habitat: The Okapi mostly live in Wamba and Epulu in Central Africa but also in high mountainous forests to the East, savannas of the Sahel/Sudan to the north, swamps to the southeast, open woodlands to the south, and swamp forests below 500 m to the west. They generally prefer to reside in altitudes of 500 to 1,000 m but have been known to go higher. []

Diet: Okapi have some very strange eating habits. Field research shows that they meet their mineral and salt needs by consuming reddish clay found near rivers and streams. By inspecting Okapi scat scientists have confirmed that they eat the charcoal off of trees burnt by lightning.Most kinds of plants the Okapi eat are poisonous to humans. Using their long tongues they also rely on leaves, grasses, fruits, buds, fungi, fern and other plant life for a food source as they are herbivores. [] Food Chain Status: The only natural main predator hunting the Okapi are leopards. Leopards are fast enough to catch young and old Okapi which is very impressive as their main defense is their speed. This is one of the reasons the Okapi are considered an endangered species. Video Link: []