The okapi is a giraffe with zebra stripes
The okapi, a secretive relative of the giraffe, sports zebra-like stripes for camouflage and uses a long tongue and specialized neck to browse rainforest vegetation, facing threats from habitat loss.
Meet the okapi, a shy forest dweller that looks like a zebra but is actually the giraffe's only living relative. This unique mammal boasts a long, prehensile tongue, up to 18 inches, and a specialized neck, just like its taller cousin, perfect for browsing leaves in the Democratic Republic of Congo's dense rainforests. Its striking zebra-like stripes on its hindquarters provide excellent camouflage in the dappled forest light, helping it hide from predators like leopards. Male okapis even communicate using infrasonic calls, similar to elephants, to avoid detection. With fewer than 25,000 individuals, conservation efforts are crucial for this fascinating creature.