okapi

/'ou'kɑ:pi/

Thân thiện

A young okapi stands quietly in a sun-dappled forest clearing.

Definition

Noun: 1. A large, hoofed mammal native to the rainforests of central Africa: The okapi is a solitary, herbivorous animal that resembles a cross between a giraffe and a horse. It is characterized by its dark brown or reddish-brown coat, distinctive horizontal white stripes on its upper legs and hindquarters, and a relatively short neck compared to its only living relative, the giraffe.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • The okapi is a shy and elusive creature that is rarely seen in the wild.
  • Scientists study the okapi to learn more about giraffe evolution.
  • We were lucky to see the okapi at the zoo during feeding time.

Advanced Usage

• "Okapi conservation": Refers to efforts to protect the okapi and its rainforest habitat, which is threatened by deforestation and hunting.
  • Several organizations are dedicated to okapi conservation in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Variants and Related Words

• Okapia johnstoni: The scientific (Latin) name for the okapi species.

Synonyms

• Forest giraffe: A common alternative name for the okapi, referencing its habitat and biological family.
• Zebra giraffe: An informal name highlighting its striped markings and relation to giraffes (though it is not a hybrid).

Related Phrases

• Okapi Wildlife Reserve: A UNESCO World Heritage site in the Democratic Republic of the Congo established to protect okapi populations.
  • The Okapi Wildlife Reserve is a critical sanctuary for this unique animal.

Học thuật

Noun

1. similar to the giraffe but smaller with much shorter neck and stripe on the legs

Từ đồng nghĩa

• okapia johnstoni