Classification: Plantae, Tracheophyta, Magnoliopsida, Malpighiales, Euphorbiaceae, Macaranga, monandra.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

This species perhaps represents the best example of what exactly the okapi prefers to eat, anywhere between 20 - 80 feet in height, fast-growing, requiring abundant light, and often found in tree-fall gaps. The bole, of this much-branched tree is usually sparsely covered in blunt spines up to 2.5 inches long. The local people will use this species as medicine to treat breathing, nerve, or reproductive issues as well as for fuel and crafting.  

Classification: Plantae, Tracheophyta, Magnoliopsida, Gentianales, Rubiaceae, Aidia, micrantha.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

Aidia micrantha is a species of shrub or much-branched tree native to the more tropical regions of Africa. It can grow anywhere between 6 - 30 feet tall with an average height of 22 feet. It is mainly harvested for use by the local peoples in the crafting of tools and weapons as well as being used as fuel for a fire. This species is quite plentiful in the okapi's habitat and is thought to be one of its more abundant food sources. 

Classification: Plantae, Tracheophyta, Magnoliopsida, Ericales, Ebenaceae, Diospyros, crassiflora.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable

Ebony, also known as Gabon ebony, West African ebony, African Ebony, and Benin ebony is a species of tree endemic to west Africa's lowland-rainforests, known for it's incredibly dark wood color. This particular type of timber is used in a number different instrumental, recreational, and sculptural pursuits, valued not just for it's color but also for it's durability. Ebony does occur in the same forests as the okapi and may be a food source for okapi in younger stages of life, when it is smaller and more easily reached by the okapi.

Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Carnivora, Felidae, Panthera, pardus.

Conservation Status: Vulnerable.

Leopards are large, carnivorous, felines weighing anywhere between 40 - 140 pounds, and measuring 5 - 7.5 feet in length, with an exceptional climbing ability. The leopard is a species spread throughout the southern half of the African continent, including the Congo where they inhabit the same types of sub-tropical forest as the okapi. The leopard in the okapi's main predator in the wild, although they are generally opportunistic hunters that will feed on anything from fish, reptiles, and birds to carrion. 

Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Primates, Hominidae, Pan, Troglodytes.

Conservation Status: Endangered

The chimpanzee, along with the bonobo, is our closest living relative; we share 98.7% of our genetic blueprint with them and it's believed we share a common ancestor who lived sometime between 7 and 13 million years ago. They are omnivorous, weighing about 70 - 130 pounds and measuring about 4 - 5.5 feet tall. Unlike okapi, these are very social animals forming close knit groups of several dozen led by an alpha male and male allies. Although they live in the same habitat and area within the Congo, the okapi and chimpanzee likely don't come into contact often due to the chimps living the majority of their lives in the trees where they are safer from predators.

Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Galliformes, Phasianidae, Afropavo, congenis.

Conservation Status: Near Threatened

Congo peafowl look quite different from their cousins the indian peafowl, which you are probably more familiar with. They are about the size of a domestic chicken and, similarly to the okapi, display different physical characteristics based on their sex (known as sexual dimorphism). The females are usually a light brown color with green iridescent feathers on their backs, while the males are a dark blue with metallic green and purple accent feathers across their body and a white crest of head feathers. They feed on fruit like the okapi do, but also on seeds and small invertebrates as they explore the forest floor.

Classification: Animalia, Chordata, Aves, Galliformes, Numididae, Guterra, verreauxi.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

The western crested guineafowl is actually a subspecies of Guttera pucherani, the crested guineafowl. These guineafowl are largely monochromatic, with black and dark grey feathers with white spots and a characteristic black crest of feathers on the head, they are also monomorphic, meaning both males and females look the same. This species spends the majority of its day foraging for insects, worms, seeds, berries, and even small reptiles before roosting in trees at night. They usually form flocks of about 20 strong and some species are farmed similar to chickens as a source of eggs and food.

Classification: Fungi, Basidiomycota, Agaricomycetes, Cantharellales, Hydnaceae, Cantharellus, luteopunctatus.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

This species of mushroom falls under the common name chanterelle, referring to a group of fungi that have similar physical features and coloration and are all edible. This particular mushroom is widespread across much of central Africa where they inhabit moist tropical forests. They often form symbiotic relationships with the roots of trees and are one of the many ectomycorrhizal species of mushrooms out there. 

Classification: Animalia, Arthropoda, Insecta, Odonata, Libellulidae, Trithemis, annulata.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

The violet dropwing is a species of dragonfly spread throughout Africa and southern Europe where it congregates near slow-moving sources of water. The males of this species have the bright violet-red body and red veined wings, the females are yellow and brown. Like most dragonflies, when they are fully grown they will eat any other insects or aquatic species small enough for them to grab, even other dragonflies. 

Classification: Animalia, Arthropoda, Arachnida, Araneae, Araneidae, Nephilingis, cruentata.

Conservation Status: Least Concern

African hermit spiders are found all across central and south eastern Africa and one point was introduced to South America as well. As with many species of spiders, the females are larger than the males at nearly 1inch in diameter while the males are only about 4mm in size. They look very similar to the picture on the right with dark red or brown legs but occasionally their legs can also be ringed with either color in a more striking pattern. This is an adaptable species of araneid, able to live in pristine rainforest or in altered habitats in close contact with humans.