The
okapi (
Okapia johnstoni), is a
giraffid artiodactyl mammal native to the northeast of the
Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Although the okapi bears striped markings reminiscent of
zebras, it is most closely related to the
giraffe. The okapi and the giraffe are the only living members of the family
Giraffidae. The okapi stands about tall at the shoulder and has an average body length of about . Its weight ranges from . It has a long neck, and large, flexible ears. Its coat is a chocolate to reddish brown, much in contrast with the white horizontal stripes and rings on the legs and white ankles. Male okapis have short, hair-covered horns called
ossicones, less than in length. Females possess hair whorls, and ossicones are absent.
