The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) is an unusual mammal of the Ituri Rainforest in central Africa. Although it bears striped markings reminiscent of the zebra, it is the only living close relative of the giraffe. The resemblance it bears to both the zebra and giraffe led some to believe it is a cross between the two, but despite the appearance of certain similarities, it is in fact not closely related to the zebra. Native just to the Ituri forests situated in the north east of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, it was known only to the local people until 1901.

Characteristics

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Okapis have dark bodies, with striking horizontal white stripes on the back legs, making them resemble zebras from a distance. These markings are thought to be "follow me" markings intended to help young follow their mothers through the dense rain forest, and also serve as camouflage. The body shape is similar to that of the giraffe, except that okapis have much shorter necks. Both species have very long (apx. 30 cm or 12 inch), flexible, blue tongues that they use to strip leaves and buds from trees. The tongue of an okapi is long enough for the animal to wash its eyelids and clean its ears: it is one of the few mammals that can lick its own ears. Male okapis have short, skin-covered horns. They have large ears which help them detect their predator, the leopard.

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@0kapi やべぇ、Okapiサン越えしちゃってる気が…家帰ったら曝して、いい加減片付けようと決意しなきゃ…
okadora (岡ピー) Sun, 29 Nov 2009 02:09:44 -0000
@0kapi やべぇ、Okapiサン越えしちゃってる気が…家帰ったら曝して、いい加減片付けようと決意しなきゃ…
@0kapi そんなプロフの人なんですね。タフになり過ぎるとOkapiんではなくなりそうなので、程々にwストレスと上手く付き合っている人、全く感じない人は別の世界の人の様ですw猫ちゃんと萌えとついったで癒されると良い♪あっ、私は超小心者です（笑）勉強はかどります様に（＾－＾）
yuriaya (yumi) Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:46:33 -0000
@0kapi そんなプロフの人なんですね。タフになり過ぎるとOkapiんではなくなりそうなので、程々にwストレスと上手く付き合っている人、全く感じない人は別の世界の人の様ですw猫ちゃんと萌えとついったで癒されると良い♪あっ、私は超小心者です（笑）勉強はかどります様に（＾－＾）
@0kapi Okapiんの繊細な面を見させていただきました。いえ、真面目な話です！！読書家の方って人一倍傷つきやすいガラスのハートを持っていると常々思います(；一_一)
yuriaya (yumi) Sun, 29 Nov 2009 01:34:18 -0000
@0kapi Okapiんの繊細な面を見させていただきました。いえ、真面目な話です！！読書家の方って人一倍傷つきやすいガラスのハートを持っていると常々思います(；一_一)
Guess Who, Spike, Grasu XXL si Okapi Sound sunt pe zona ! http://bit.ly/6i6SWY
madalinchirila (Madalin) Sat, 28 Nov 2009 20:53:23 -0000
Guess Who, Spike, Grasu XXL si Okapi Sound sunt pe zona ! http://bit.ly/6i6SWY
Radio Okapi - Accueil Toute l'actualite : politique , economie . Bandundu Samedi 28 Novembre 2009 a 12:48:52. Sur... [http://bit.ly/5Enbrm]
TWNNews (TWNNews) Sat, 28 Nov 2009 18:24:31 -0000
Radio Okapi - Accueil Toute l'actualite : politique , economie . Bandundu Samedi 28 Novembre 2009 a 12:48:52. Sur... [http://bit.ly/5Enbrm]
Almost forgot by horse family: Okapi! Zebras. The coolest blondes you'll ever meet: giraffes. Also that anteater was funny.
nicmax28 (Nicole Maxwell) Sat, 28 Nov 2009 17:26:25 -0000
Almost forgot by horse family: Okapi! Zebras. The coolest blondes you'll ever meet: giraffes. Also that anteater was funny.

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