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Article written by: duddy on May 1, 2014



Title: This mammal isn't a hybrid between a giraffe and a zebra
Written by: duddy on May 1, 2014

(https://biology-forums.com/gallery/36/6_09_03_18_12_53_38.jpeg) (https://biology-forums.com/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;id=36074)

The Okapi is native to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. Despite the zebra-like stripes, it is actually more closely related to giraffes. While okapis travel for the most part by themselves within their home ranges, they still have ways of communicating with others whose ranges overlap. A scent gland on each foot leaves behind a sticky, tar-like substance wherever they have walked, marking their territory. Okapis have a great sense of smell. By checking the ground, an okapi can tell if another okapi has been there. Males also mark their territory by urine spraying. Normally silent, female okapis vocalize only when they are ready to breed.


Comments:

Every person I show this to thinks it's some sort of hybrid. Very interesting animal, I wonder what a group of 5-year-olds would name this... lol

Written by: bio_man on May 9, 2014