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Federal restrictions apply

Okapi

Okapia johnstoni

Mammals › Hoofed farm and wild mammals (Artiodactyla) › Giraffidae (Giraffe and okapi)

The okapi (Okapia johnstoni), also known as forest giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Zoos & aquariums

Experience: Expert / facility

FamilyGiraffe and okapi

Record lifespan33.5 years

Adult weight502 lb

Kept byZoos & aquariums

Warnings

Mostly kept by zoos, public aquariums, sanctuaries or licensed facilities. The guide below describes professional husbandry so you can understand the animal, not as encouragement to keep one privately.

Federal legal status: Federal restrictions apply. See the federal legal snapshot and check your state rules before getting one.

Care guide

Group care guide

Giraffes and okapis

Applies to most species in this group. Habitat: Giraffes browse African savannas and woodlands, while okapis inhabit the Democratic Republic of Congo's tropical rainforest. [fg70-giraffe-aza, fg70-okapi-aza]. Individual species can differ, so compare with the species numbers above and the linked sources.

Facility only; kicks endanger staff. Numeric targets describe okapi indoor holding. Cold-climate giraffe barns should maintain at least 65°F, with comfort areas around 75°F or higher. Stature, climate and social differences require separate designs. [fg70-giraffe-aza, fg70-okapi-aza]

Housing & setup

Giraffe barns: at least 22 ft clearance; a 20 × 20 ft stall is the example for an 18 ft giraffe.
Provide spacious outdoor areas, shelter and separate holding for bulls or mothers with calves.
For okapis, provide individual outdoor holding yards of at least 700 sq ft; habitats displaying multiple okapis or species should be at least 5,490 sq ft.
Give okapis dense visual cover, quiet retreats and separate indoor/outdoor spaces.
Provide elevated browse and hay feeding stations and safe facilities for voluntary hoof care.

Sources 637 638

Climate & lighting

Warm side / daytime	70–81°F
Humidity	50–70%

Sources 637 638

Diet

Daily safe leafy browse offered at appropriate feeding heights.
High-quality alfalfa hay available throughout the day.
Nutritionally complete high-fiber, low-starch browser pellets.
Limited produce, predominantly leafy greens for okapis; avoid excessive fruit and starchy vegetables.

Sources 637 638

Social life

Giraffes need compatible social partners: start with 3–5, minimum two. Okapis require individual accommodation; any pairing or group arrangement needs monitored introductions and separation options.

Sources 637 638

Handling

Use protected or restricted contact and positive reinforcement for shifting, examination and hoof care.

Sources 637 638

Health watch

Hoof overgrowth, lameness and degenerative joint disease, especially in giraffes.
Rumen acidosis with excess rapidly fermentable carbohydrate.
Enteric infection and persistent diarrhea in okapis.
Stereotypical oral behaviors associated with inadequate environmental complexity.

Sources 637 638

Understanding the animal

About this animal

However, non-invasive genetic identification has suggested that a population has occurred south-west of the Congo River as well. It is the only species in the genus Okapia.

Quoted from the Wikipedia article “Okapi” (CC BY-SA 4.0) 174

In the wild

Quoted from the matching sections of reputable sources for this exact species. Specialist databases are used first; Wikipedia (community-edited, CC BY-SA 4.0) only fills gaps. Other sources are short credited quotes.

Overview	The okapi (; Okapia johnstoni), also known as forest giraffe and zebra giraffe, is an artiodactyl mammal that is endemic to the northeast Democratic Republic of the Congo. However, non-invasive genetic identification has suggested that a population has occurred south-west of the Congo River as well. It is the only species in the genus Okapia. Although the okapi has striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is most closely related to the giraffe. — Wikipedia (community-edited)
Where it lives	Okapis are terrestrial animals whose territorial range can stretch anywhere from 450 to 1,500 m. — Animal Diversity Web
Behavior	Okapis typically live as solitary animals, but have been known to feed in small groups on certain occasions. — Animal Diversity Web
Reproduction	Okapis are solitary animals, but come together to mate. — Animal Diversity Web
Lifespan	In captivity, okapis have been known to live 15 to 30 years. — Animal Diversity Web
Appearance and size	Before discovering that okapis were the closest relative to giraffes ( Giraffa camelopardalis ), they were believed to be a part of the genus Equus due to their resemblance to horses and zebras. — Animal Diversity Web
History and naming	Although the okapi was unknown to the Western world until the 20th century, it may have been depicted since the early fifth century BCE on the façade of the Apadana at Persepolis, a gift from the Ethiopian procession to the Achaemenid kingdom. For years, Europeans in Africa had heard of an animal that they came to call the African unicorn. — Wikipedia (community-edited)

Native climate (measured)

Warm-season highs	about 87°F (up to 90°F in the hottest sampled areas)
Cool-season lows	about 64°F (down to 61°F in the coldest sampled areas)
Average temperature	72–77°F across sampled records
Relative humidity	74–79% on average (driest month about 68%)
Rainfall	about 1676 mm a year, spread fairly evenly

Measured at 8 wild occurrence records sampled against WorldClim 2.1 climate data (1970–2000 averages). Air conditions in the range are ecological context, not enclosure settings: microhabitats such as burrows, leaf litter or basking rocks can be cooler, warmer or more humid.

Profile

Researched for this exact species. Sources are listed under In the wild above.

History

Although the okapi was unknown to the Western world until the 20th century, it may have been depicted since the early fifth century BCE on the façade of the Apadana at Persepolis, a gift from the Ethiopian procession to the Achaemenid kingdom. For years, Europeans in Africa had heard of an animal that they came to call the African unicorn.

Data and studies

Researched care notes

Findings checked against veterinary, zoo, welfare, keeper and peer-reviewed sources. Air, basking-surface and water temperatures are kept separate, and where sources disagree both are shown. “Study” notes report what a paper measured, not a universal rule.

Okapi (species)

Okapi are ruminant browsers using leafy forage.¹
Treating browsers as needing low fibre and high non-fibre carbohydrate can harm rumen function.¹
Evaluate physical forage properties as well as chemical nutrient composition.¹

Okapi

The numbers

Each bar is what one source reports. Where several sources weigh in, the dashed gold band marks their average.

Maximum recorded lifespan

Highest reported33.5years

AnAge 16233.5

Myhrvold et al. 16333.5

Longest recorded lifespan reported by each database; typical lifespans are usually shorter. The AnAge record comes from an animal in human care.

Typical adult weight

Average of sources502lb

AnAge 162496

Myhrvold et al. 163507

Average adult body mass in each database (FishBase gives the maximum recorded weight).

Litter size

Average of sources1young

AnAge 1621

Myhrvold et al. 1631

Average per litter or clutch.

Gestation

Average of sources456days

AnAge 162458

Myhrvold et al. 163453

Female maturity

Average of sources21.4months

AnAge 16219

Myhrvold et al. 16323.9

Veterinary & husbandry research

Fluid and particle retention in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Hummel J et al., Comparative biochemistry and physiology. Part A, Molecular & integrative physiology 2005
Analysis of the urine of the okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Glatston AR et al., Acta zoologica et pathologica Antverpiensia 1980
Investigation of aural bacterial and fungal flora following otitis in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Allender MC et al., Veterinary dermatology 2008
Glucosuria in captive okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Fleming GJ et al., Journal of zoo and wildlife medicine: official publication of the American Association of Zoo Veterinarians 2006

Peer-reviewed papers that mention this species alongside captivity, zoos, veterinary care or aquaculture. Some cover several species or mention it only in passing, so check the abstract. See all 20 on PubMed → 170

Federal legal snapshot

Federal restrictions apply

CITES Appendix I. Appendix I: commercial international trade in wild-caught animals is banned; international movement needs both import and export permits. Buying captive-bred animals within the U.S. isn't restricted by CITES (other federal or state laws may apply). 173 186
USDA Animal Welfare Act. Keeping a pet for yourself doesn't need a federal license. Dealers (including many breeders who sell wholesale or sight-unseen) and exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) generally need a USDA license and inspections; some small-scale breeders and retail sellers are exempt. 184

State law decides most of it. Each state sets its own permits and bans for exotic, native, venomous and dangerous animals, and cities and counties can be stricter. Find your state agency →

Animal Welfare Act standards

Warm-blooded animals not covered elsewhere (Subpart F). Applies to USDA-licensed or registered dealers, exhibitors (including encounters and paid programs) and research facilities. Private pet owners are not covered. These are legal minimums, not best care; the species care on this page goes further.

Facilities must be structurally sound and strong enough for the species, with reliable power and water, protected food storage and proper waste disposal. §3.125
Indoors: temperature regulated to protect from extremes, adequate ventilation without drafts, and lighting suited to the species that protects animals from excessive light. §3.126
Outdoors: shade from overheating sun, shelter suited to the local climate, and drainage. Animals must be acclimated before facing climate extremes. §3.127
Outdoor facilities need a perimeter fence at least 8 ft high for potentially dangerous animals (large cats, bears, wolves, rhinoceros, elephants) and 6 ft for others, at least 3 ft from the enclosure, unless USDA approves otherwise. §3.127
Space must allow each animal to make normal postural and social adjustments with adequate freedom of movement. Poor condition, stress or abnormal behavior can show the space is inadequate. §3.128
Food must be wholesome, palatable and of enough quantity and nutritive value for the species, age and condition, fed at least once a day except during hibernation, normal fasts or veterinary treatment. §3.129
Water must be available as often as needed for health and comfort, in clean receptacles. §3.130
Animals sharing an enclosure must be compatible, and must not be housed near animals that interfere with their health or cause them discomfort. §3.133
There is no general enrichment rule for this subpart; enrichment requirements apply to primates, birds and (exercise) dogs. §3.128

Source: 9 CFR Part 3, current eCFR text (USDA APHIS Animal Care).

Kept in captivity?

Every species on this site needs evidence that people actually keep it. For this one:

Included in our hand-checked list of animals kept as pets, livestock or in zoos
AnAge has a longevity record from an animal in captivity
488 iNaturalist observations of captive animals

Sources for this sheet

AnAge: The Animal Ageing and Longevity Database (Human Ageing Genomic Resources) Peer-reviewed researchCurated, referenced longevity and life-history records for thousands of species; maximum lifespans are often from zoo animals.
Myhrvold et al. (2015). An amniote life-history database. Ecology 96: 3109 Peer-reviewed researchPeer-reviewed compilation of life-history data for over 21,000 birds, mammals and reptiles.
Species+ (UNEP-WCMC and the CITES Secretariat) Zoo, university or veterinaryThe official database of species listed under CITES.
USFWS International Affairs: CITES Zoo, university or veterinaryFederal agency that issues CITES permits.
9 CFR 2.1: Animal Welfare Act licensing (USDA) Zoo, university or veterinaryWho needs a USDA license to breed, sell or exhibit animals.
AZA Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) Care Manual (2025) Experienced keeper or breederAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
AZA Okapi (Okapia johnstoni) Care Manual (2025) Experienced keeper or breederAdded in the 2026 source-checked care-guide review.
GBIF Backbone Taxonomy (Global Biodiversity Information Facility) Peer-reviewed researchInternational scientific taxonomy used here for classification.
Wikipedia (species article) Community referenceFree encyclopedia; useful overviews with their own citations. Intro text is quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0.
PubMed (U.S. National Library of Medicine) Peer-reviewed researchIndex of peer-reviewed veterinary, zoo and husbandry research.
iNaturalist (captive observations) Community referenceCommunity observation platform run by the California Academy of Sciences and National Geographic; observations marked captive show animals living in homes, zoos and aquariums.