7 Things You'll Want To Know About the Elusive Okapi

1. Okapi are Considered a “Living Fossil”

Members of the giraffidae family, which was formerly a diverse and huge group of animals that inhabited Africa millions of years ago, are known as okapi. 

2. Okapi Can Eat Bat Excrement

The average okapi consumes between 45 and 60 pounds of food on a daily basis, making them a voracious eater. Due to the fact that they are the only species that lives in the rainforest.

3. Okapi are the Closest Living Relative to the Giraffe

As a result of its natural environment in the thick Ituri Rainforest, the okapi is also known as the "forest giraffe," which is another nickname for this animal. 

4. Okapi are a Flagship Species of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Not only are Okapi remarkable for their exceptionally long lifespans, but they are also a well-liked symbol of the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

5. Okapi are Highly Adept at Survival

Okapi have developed a variety of distinctive characteristics and habits that enable them to live in the ecosystem of the rainforest. These include a secret language, ears that rotate independently, and stripes that resemble fingerprints.

6. The Okapi Was Not Known to Western Science Until the 1900s

It was not until the start of the 20th century that the okapi was first brought to the attention of Western science and expertise. In the vicinity of the year 1890.

7. Okapi are Endangered

Experts have a tough time estimating the number of okapi that are still living in the wild because of their elusive nature. Despite the fact that the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) .