How is an okapi related to a giraffe?
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The okapi (Okapia johnstoni) and the giraffe are closely related, as they are the only two living members of the family Giraffidae within the order Artiodactyla.12
While they share this taxonomic classification, they have evolved to inhabit different environments and possess distinct physical characteristics. The okapi is a shy, solitary animal native to the dense rainforests of the Ituri Forest in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, whereas giraffes are typically found in the grasslands and open woodlands of Africa. Physically, the okapi is much smaller than the giraffe and lacks its iconic long neck and legs, though both species possess long, prehensile tongues used for browsing foliage.12