What is an okapi baby called?
calves
Female okapis typically only give birth to one baby at a time. Birth comes after a gestation period of 14 to 16 months, and the young is born in a nest on the ground. Baby okapis are called calves.
Is an okapi related to a zebra?
The okapi (pronounced oh-KAHP-ee) is beautiful and unusual. With its white-and-black striped hindquarters and front legs, it looks like it must be related to zebras! But take a look at an okapi’s head, and you’ll notice a resemblance to giraffes.
How is a okapi born?
Okapis give birth to a single calf after a 14-month gestation period. An Okapi calf can be on its feet and suckling within half an hour of being born. In the wild, the mother will leave her calf in a hiding place to nest, returning regularly to allow the calf to nurse.
Do okapi still exist?
According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, the okapi is endangered. While it’s not clear how many remain in the wild, scientists estimate that populations may have been slashed in half over the past two decades.
How long is an okapi pregnant for?
15 monthsOkapi / Gestation period
How long can a okapi live?
between 15 and 20 years
Lifespan in the wild is difficult to determine for these secretive animals but in captivity okapi can live between 15 and 20 years.
How many okapis are in the Chester Zoo?
76 okapis
With only 76 okapis in zoos across Europe, and with sightings in the wild becoming even less common than before, every birth is therefore vital to the endangered species breeding programme.
Can a zebra mate with a giraffe?
is a hybrid between a giraffe and a zebra still appears to be current. Apart from the fact that hybrids between such widely different animals do not occur in nature, the okapi is essentially a giraffe in structure and fully a dozen specimens are known.
How do okapis communicate?
Okapis have their own secret language. Humans can hear the coughs, bleats and whistles they often use. Okapis make a range of low frequency sounds to communicate with their calf that predators cannot hear. These animals are most active during the day.
What is a okapi tongue?
The okapi’s long prehensile tongue is used to strip leaves from branches and vines. Their tongue is 12-14 inches (30-36 cm) long and black or dark blue in color.
What noise does an okapi make?
Besides his secret subsonic language, the okapi also slings the usual bleats and whistles that you might hear from a giraffe. That’s because of all the animals he resembles, the giraffe is his closest relation. In fact, he’s often called a “forest giraffe.”
Is the okapi endangered?
Endangered (Population decreasing)Okapi / Conservation status