: an African ungulate mammal (Okapia johnstoni) that is closely related to the giraffe but has a relatively short neck, a coat typically of solid reddish chestnut on the trunk, yellowish white on the cheeks, and purplish-black and cream rings on the upper parts of the legs
Illustration of okapi
Examples of okapi in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the WebHere are seven other things currently known about the okapi.—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 The okapi’s scientific name, okapia johnstoni, is named after Johnston, though indigenous people had already known of the okapi’s existence long before.—Katie Liu, Discover Magazine, 11 Apr. 2024 The calf is from a species called okapi, the only living relative of the giraffe, the zoo said in a news release.—Julia Daye, Sacramento Bee, 9 Apr. 2024 The habitat will include a pair of okapi, a striped mammal that looks like a zebra and is the only living relative of the giraffe.—Harriet Ramos, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 June 2023 Along with supporting conservation breeding programs by raising okapi, the Chester Zoo also supports wild okapi.—Kelli Bender, PEOPLE.com, 24 Feb. 2022 The researchers say that giraffes and okapi split around 11.5 million year ago, after which giraffes underwent a tremendous growth spurt.—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 17 May 2016 The okapi and the giraffe diverged from a common ancestor only 11-to-12 million years ago.—Nathaniel Scharping, Discover Magazine, 17 May 2016 Male okapi, though, were less closely related to each other than females.—Elizabeth Preston, Discover Magazine, 23 Jan. 2015
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Word History
Etymology
Mvuba (language spoken west of Lake Edward, Democratic Republic of the Congo)
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