The Okapis Woodland Camouflage

This striking creature is an Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), a unique mammal native to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of…

This striking creature is an Okapi (Okapia johnstoni), a unique mammal native to the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is a giraffid, a close relative of the giraffe, as evidenced by its long neck and large, expressive eyes. The okapi's most remarkable feature is its coat, a patchwork of dark chocolate-brown on its body that contrasts sharply with the bold horizontal stripes of white and black on its hindquarters and legs, a pattern that provides excellent camouflage in the dappled light of the forest understory. Its face is a lighter cream color, and its small, skin-covered ossicones are a distinctive feature of the males. This solitary and elusive herbivore is a testament to the incredible diversity of life found within the world's most remote habitats.