Mammal Monday #2

MAMMAL MONDAY #2

You have the Monday morning blues? Well after learning about today’s mammal those blues will be disappear! Have you ever wonder what animals are lurking in the rainforests, hiding just out of the sight? Could it be a leopard? Or is it a monkey in the trees? Or is it today’s quiet, shy, solitary and secretive Okapi?

MEET THE OKAPI!

Range/Habitat: Central Africa-Democratic Republic of Congo/tropical rainforests

Diet:  herbivores: twigs, shoots, fruits, leaves

Length/Height/Weight: 6 ½-7 1/4 ft : 12-16 ½ in : 440 lb-770lb

Conservation Status: Lower Risk

Fun facts:

• The Okapi was not identified until 1900.
• The Okapi is the closest living relative of the giraffe.
• Okapi are very shy and secretive.
• Okapi have long black prehensile tongues. They use their tongues to grab leaves and branches.
• They have stripes on their legs and rear end.
• Male okapis have two skin covered horns that are called ossicones. Giraffes also have ossicones. They are actually part of the skull.
• Every okapi’s stripe pattern in different!

These relatives of the giraffe are very special! We’re so glad that someone discovered them in the rainforests! And we’re sticking our tongue out to the Monday blues too!