Okapi By Kaia Smoliak-Carlin

Features

I am 1.5 meters tall at my shoulders. My weight is 200-250 kg. I have a brown face with more white markings than the brown though. My hooves are dark brown and I have a coat that can be either a deep reddish colour or dark brown. I have large ears,dark brown fringed tail,and eyes as you can see.

Where do I live?

I live in the rain forests of the upper Congo River Basin in central Africa, aka Zaire. I am most comfortable in clearings near rivers, and I do not migrate.

What do I eat?

I am a herbivore I eat leaves,shoots,fruit,and berries. But I don't eat it like most other animals do. I swallow food without chewing it,spit it out later then chew and swallow it.

How are my young born?

I develop inside my mother's womb after a gestation period of 14 ½ to 15 months. But females only give birth to one Okapi.

How are your young cared for?

I give milk to my young. They can graze at six weeks of age. They nurse until they are six months old and are independent at nine months.

Who are your enemies?

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I only have one enemy, leopards. The leopard prey upon us,especially young Okapi. But we do have ways to protect ourselves. Males develop horns at 2-3 years old. Our stripes can help as we can use them to camouflage or hide from predators. Strong hooves can help us to kick.

Are you Endangered?

It is true. Our forest homes are being destroyed by humans. We are also poached for our meat.

Photo Credits

http://tolweb.org/tree/ToLimages/2716180407_a2e983dfd7_o.jpg

okapi

http://tolweb.org/tree/ToLimages/2716180407_a2e983dfd7_o.jpg

okapi in fenced in area

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/773538353_fad448f0d4_o.jpg

okapi at zoo

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/773538353_fad448f0d4_o.jpg

okapi in Los Angeles zoo

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1218/773538353_fad448f0d4_o.jpg

Okapi at Cincinnati Zoo

http://farm1.static.flickr.com/223/451908650_4b6480a6f4.jpg

okapi in habitat