okapi

Everyday

1. An okapi is a shy African forest animal with a brown body and black-and-white stripes on its legs, like a zebra's. tree →
2. The okapi is the giraffe's closest living relative, and like a giraffe it has a very long, dark tongue. tree →

In the lessons

In science and geography lessons, the okapi is an example of a rare animal found only in the rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; its stripes help it hide in light and shadow (camouflage). It is endangered because of hunting and loss of forest. In animal fact books and zoos it is the "forest giraffe". Phrases: «okapi stripes», «the okapi's tongue», «a rare okapi».

Examples

• The okapi looks like a mix of a zebra and a giraffe. tree →
• An okapi can lick its own ears with its long tongue. tree →
• Okapis live in the rainforest of the Congo. tree →
• The stripes on its legs help the okapi hide among the trees. tree →
• We saw an okapi at the zoo. tree →
• The okapi is an endangered animal. tree →

Note

Use «an»: «an okapi». Plural: «okapis». Say it "oh-KAH-pee". Trap: it is not a kind of zebra, even with the stripes; it is in the giraffe family.