{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Taxon",
  "slug": "okapi",
  "name": "Okapi",
  "scientificName": "Okapia johnstoni",
  "category": "Mammal",
  "summary": "The okapi is the only living relative of the giraffe, with zebra-like stripes on the legs and a long blue tongue for browsing leaves. It lives in dense rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, weighs up to 250 kg (550 lb), and is listed Endangered due to poaching and habitat loss.",
  "conservationStatus": "Endangered",
  "taxonomy": {
    "kingdom": "Animalia",
    "phylum": "Chordata",
    "class": "Mammalia",
    "order": "Artiodactyla",
    "family": "Giraffidae",
    "genus": "Okapia"
  },
  "stats": {
    "weightKg": 250,
    "lengthM": 2.2,
    "topSpeedKmh": 60,
    "lifespanYears": 30
  },
  "facts": [
    {
      "label": "Scientific name",
      "value": "Okapia johnstoni"
    },
    {
      "label": "Diet",
      "value": "Leaves, shoots, fruit, and fungi"
    },
    {
      "label": "Habitat",
      "value": "Ituri and other lowland rainforests of the Democratic Republic of Congo"
    },
    {
      "label": "Lifespan",
      "value": "25–30 years in the wild"
    },
    {
      "label": "Weight",
      "value": "200–250 kg (440–550 lb); males heavier"
    },
    {
      "label": "Top speed",
      "value": "Up to 60 km/h (37 mph) in short bursts through forest"
    },
    {
      "label": "Conservation status",
      "value": "Endangered (IUCN)"
    }
  ],
  "range": {
    "nativeRange": "Lowland and montane rainforest in the Democratic Republic of Congo, especially the Ituri Forest.",
    "continents": [
      "Africa"
    ]
  },
  "sources": [
    {
      "citation": "Mallon, D. et al. (2013). Okapia johnstoni. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.",
      "url": null
    },
    {
      "citation": "Animal Diversity Web — Okapia johnstoni. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.",
      "url": "https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Okapia_johnstoni/"
    }
  ],
  "lastReviewed": "2026-07-16",
  "canonicalUrl": "https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/okapi/",
  "license": {
    "name": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
    "url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
    "attribution": "Global Animal Guide — https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/okapi/",
    "note": "Free to reuse for non-commercial purposes with attribution and a link back to the canonical page."
  }
}