Okapi

• All Subspecies

  • there are no subspecies; the okapi was recognized as a distinct species in 1901

• How long has this species been in existence

  • 11.5 million years ago

• The closest living relative to this species

  • the Giraffe 

• 3 ancestors of this species

  • Canthumeryx had an elongated neck

  • Giraffe also had an elongated neck

  • Samotherium, which lived in the open woodlands of Eurasia about 7 million years ago, had a neck about 1 meter long—about half the length of that of today's giraffes.

Description

• Physical description of the animal 

  • white and dark brown stipped hindquarters 

  • short, brown coat

  • brown face with white markings on the sides

• Point key characteristics of species

  • the white and dark brown stripes on their legs

• Size

  • 8 feet long

  • 6 and a half feet tall

• Weight

  • 440-770 Ibs 

    1. females are larger than males

• Life Span

  • 15-20 years

• Differences between Males and Females

  • Okapi males have horn-like protuberances on their skulls called ossicones that are less than 15 cm (5.9 in) long. Females have hair whorls, but no ossicones.