What is Okapi?
{{Taxobox | name = Okapi | image = Okapi2.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = An okapi at [[Walt Disney World|Disney's]] [[Disney's Animal Kingdom|Animal Kingdom]] | regnum = [[Animal]]ia | phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]] | classis = [[Mammal]]ia | ordo = [[Artiodactyla]] | familia = [[Giraffidae]] | genus = '''''Okapia''''' | range_map=Okapi_distribution.PNG | range_map_caption=Range map | genus_authority = [[Ray Lankester|Lankester]], 1901 | binomial = ''Okapia johnstoni'' | binomial_authority = ([[P.L. Sclater]], 1901)}} The '''okapi''' (''Okapia johnstoni'') is an [[even-toed ungulate]] [[mammal]] from central [[Africa]]. With the [[giraffe]] they form the [[family (biology)|family]] [[Giraffidae]]. == Appearance == The okapi has a reddish brown body, a whitish gray face, and white and black stripes on its legs. The okapi has a few features that show its link to giraffes. Its height is not as large as giraffes. == Life == Okapis live in the [[rainforest]]s of central [[Africa]], in the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]]. They are mostly active during the day. Okapis eat mostly [[leaf|leaves]] and buds from [[tree]]s, but also [[grass]], [[fern]]s, [[fruit]], and [[fungus|fungi]]. Okapis usually live alone. After 420 to 450 days of [[pregnancy]] the mother gives birth to one baby okapi, which drinks milk for up to 6 months. Okapis become mature when they are 4-5 years old. In captivity, okapis can live for 30 years or so. == Other information == The okapi was unknown and a mystery to western researchers for a long time. In the past, scientists thought that the okapi was a mix between the [[giraffe]] and the [[zebra]]. The ''International Society for [[Cryptozoology]]'' uses the okapi as its [[symbol]], because the okapi was unknown for a long time. == Other websites == * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/630.shtml Okapi fact sheet at BBC.com] {{Webarchive|url=https://archive.today/20121205062500/www.bbc.co.uk/nature/wildfacts/factfiles/630.shtml |date=2012-12-05 }} {{wikispeci