Il periodo di gestazione è lungo circa 440-450 giorni, trascorsi i quali nasce di solito un unico piccolo. L'okapi ha una longevità media di 20-30 anni[17]. They have large upright ears and highly developed hearing allowing them to evade potential predators and to remain hidden. The Okapi is a diurnal animal meaning that they are most active during the day when they spend the majority of their time roaming set paths through the forest in search of food. It had been known to the peoples of Africa since at least the Egyptian times, but was only brought to prominence in Western perception in the early 1900s. Gli okapi sono prevalentemente diurni, ma possono essere attivi anche nelle ore notturne. Scientific Name: Okapia johnstoni The okapi (pronounced “oh-KAH-pea”) is the only known living relative of the giraffe. Tuttavia, un altro scrittore, J. D. Skinner, sostiene che sia stato il Canthumeryx ad aver dato origine all'okapi e alla giraffa attraverso gli altri tre generi sopra elencati, e che l'okapi sia una forma vivente di Palaeotragus[13]. L'okapi presenta un lieve dimorfismo sessuale: le femmine sono alte in media 4,2 cm più dei maschi, hanno il manto leggermente più rossastro e sono prive di corna; al loro posto si notano soltanto due protuberanze ricoperte di crini[18][19]. The name ‘okapi’ comes from the native word for the animal, ‘o’api’. Nonostante presenti una serie di striature che ricordano molto quelle delle zebre, è più strettamente imparentato con le giraffe. Nel 1901, lo zoologo Philip Sclater presentò alla Società Zoologica di Londra un disegno che mostrava con grande chiarezza le caratteristiche fisiche dell'animale. Despite its Deer-like appearance the Okapi is actually one of the last remaining ancestors of the Giraffe, which is the tallest animal on Earth. La lunghezza del corpo si aggira sui 2,5 m e il peso varia tra i 200 e i 350 kg[15]. An okapi calf is able to walk just 30 minutes after it’s born but can’t defecate until it’s at least a month old—that way, the smell of feces won’t attract predators. I denti hanno corona bassa e cuspidi sottili, e sono perfetti per tagliare con efficacia il fogliame tenero. Nella foresta dell'Ituri, l'okapi si nutre soprattutto di vegetali appartenenti alle famiglie Acantacee, Ebenacee, Euforbiacee, Flacurtiacee, Loganiacee, Rubiacee e Violacee[17][23]. 30 years . La riserva naturale degli Okapi e il parco nazionale della Maiko ospitano popolazioni consistenti di quest'animale, sebbene sia stato riscontrato un netto declino degli esemplari dovuto a varie cause. Due to the fact that the Okapi inhabits such a secluded region of mountain rainforest, it actually has surprisingly few common predators particularly in comparison to similar species. The okapi’s habitat is in the tropical rainforest in the northeast region of the Democratic Republic of Congo (formerly Zaire). The Okapi was not classified as a distinct species until 1900 – 1901, when Harry Johnston sent two pieces of Zebra-like skin to London which was analysed and meant that a new species had been recorded. Okapi johnstoni. I maschi spesso marcano il territorio e i cespugli con la loro urina, mentre le femmine utilizzano siti di defecazione comuni. The name Okapi and the generic name Okapia were derived from the word o’api which is used by the indigenous African people speaking Lese Karo language. Okapia johnstoni (P. L. Sclater 1901) Species recognized by EOL Dynamic Hierarchy 1.1 and EOL Dynamic Hierarchy 1.1. Okapi have overlapping home ranges with males tending to occupy a larger territory than females, which is marked with both urine and by rubbing their necks on trees. 1.9-2.5m (6.2-8.2ft) Lifespan. I maschi si spostano in continuazione, mentre le femmine sono sedentarie[23]. The Okapi: Mysterious Animal of Congo-Zaire, The African okapi, a beast unknown to the zoos, Proceedings of the general meetings for scientific business of the Zoological Society of London, Proceedings of the Zoological Society of London, East African Mammals: An Atlas of Evolution in Africa, Volume 3, Part B, Horns, tusks, and flippers: the evolution of hoofed mammals, Die Familie Giraffidae: mit besonderer Berücksichtigung der fossilen Formen aus China, Remarques sur la systématique et la phylogénie des Giraffidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia), Neanderthals and Modern Humans: An Ecological and Evolutionary Perspective, Transitional Vertebrate Fossils FAQ Part 2C, On the origin, evolution and phylogeny of giraffes Giraffa camelopardalis, Transactions of the Royal Society of South Africa, Grzimek's Encyclopedia of Mammals (Volume 5), Prevalence of ossicones in Giraffidae (Artiodactyla, Mammalia), Conservation status of okapi in Virunga National Park, Symposium of the Zoological Society of London, Noninvasive reproductive monitoring in the okapi (, Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine: official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians, Okapi Added to IUCN'S Endangered Species List, Unione Internazionale per la Conservazione della Natura, https://it.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Okapia_johnstoni&oldid=112844469, Taxa classificati da Philip Lutley Sclater, Voci con modulo citazione e parametro pagine, Voci con modulo citazione e parametro pagina, Voci non biografiche con codici di controllo di autorità, licenza Creative Commons Attribuzione-Condividi allo stesso modo. Although they are thought to be common in their native region, the Okapi has been severely threatened by habitat loss particularly from deforestation. Scientific Names. Tra le altre aree in cui l'animale è presente vi sono la riserva di caccia di Rubi-Tele e la riserva di Abumombanzi. Although they are seldom seen by people, the Okapi is not an endangered species as they are thought to be fairly common in their remote habitats. (200 to 300 kg). LOADING... Disclaimer: ITIS taxonomy is based on the latest scientific consensus available, and is provided as a general reference source for interested parties. The Okapi is very shy and secretive, so much so in fact that they were not recognised as a distinct species by western science until the earth 20th century. L'okapi è un giraffide di medie dimensioni, che misura 1,5 m di altezza al garrese. I giovani iniziano ad assaggiare cibi solidi a partire dai tre mesi, e lo svezzamento ha luogo a sei mesi. The only living relative of the giraffe, the okapi also has a long prehensile tongue that it uses to dextrously grab branches and leaves. L'okapi e la giraffa sono le uniche specie viventi della famiglia dei Giraffidi. The okapi has numerous common names in many different languages, but whenever a scientist says or writes the name Okapia johnstoni, other biologists around the world know precisely what kind of animal he or she is referring to.. Over the past two centuries, Linnaeus's system has been revised in some substantial ways. Let’s […] Read More, David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2011) Animal, The Definitive Visual Guide To The World's Wildlife, Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals, David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia, Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species, David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals, Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals, David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals, Okapi Information, Available here: http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Okapia_johnstoni.html, Okapi Conservation, Available here: http://www.iucnredlist.org/apps/redlist/details/15188/0, About the Okapi, Available here: http://www.africanwildlifevacations.com/about-the-okapi.html. The Okapi is found in the dense tropical rainforests of north-eastern Democratic Republic of Congo generally at an altitude that can vary between 500 and 1,000 meters, although the majority of individuals are thought to inhabit areas at roughly 800 meters above sea level. The Okapi has been protected by law in the Democratic Republic of Congo (formally Zaire) since 1933, and the IUCN last estimated that there were between 10,000 and 35,000 individuals left in the wild. The specific name ‘johnstoni’, however, was given in honor of the then British Governor of Uganda, Sir Harry Johnston. Il grosso intestino cieco e il colon aiutano la digestione microbica, e dal momento che il cibo passa rapidamente attraverso il tubo digerente, l'okapi digerisce le pareti cellulari in proporzioni minori rispetto ad altri ruminanti[20]. Until the beginning of the last century, the Okapi itself was not known to western scientists but the native people of the region were known to hunt this rare and elusive animal for both its meat and its thick hide. Genus - Okapia. Endangered. This word derives from two Lese words. ... okapi prefer. Height . 200-350kg (440-770lbs) Length. They remain in their nest deep in the undergrowth for the majority of the next two months which not only helps the calf to develop more rapidly but also gives it vital protection from hungry predators. What is the scientific name for okapi? It is almost impossible to observe an okapi in the wild, so seeing these amazing animals at our Zoo is the best way to inspire care and raise support for their protection in Africa. The Okapi also has an impressively long tongue, which is not only black in colour but it is also prehensile meaning that it is able to grab hold of leaves from the branches above.

okapi scientific name

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