Okapi

Linnean classification: Eukarya, Animalia, Chordata, Mammalia, Artiodactyla, Giraffidae, Okapia johnstoni

Regulator: Okapi are Regulators because as mammals, they are warm-blooded organisms with the ability to regulate and maintain a relatively stable and constant internal environment and temperature (homeostasis), even with the variability of external environments.

Niether Migration or Hibernation: The Okapi does not migrate or hibernate as a species, but is a solitary animal that does not move around much.

Consumer: The Okapi is a consumer, as it cannot produce it’s own food but must consume other organisms to get the nutrients and energy its needs.

Specialist: Okapi are specialists that like to stay in one area even while feeding or mating. They are not adapted to a variety of habitats. For example, they do not have the adaptations to migrate or hibernate for colder environments. They live exclusively in rainforest.

Herbivore: Okapi are herbivores that eats mainly mature leaves.

Niche: The Okapi's natural habitat is exclusively in the Ituri Rainforest in central Africa. This rainforest is found in northwest Democratic Republic of the Congo. They are dinural, solitary animals that spend their days foraging for food. Their diet mainly consists of leaves, buds, shoots, grass, fruit, ferns, fungi, and other forest vegetation. The Okapi’s main predator is the Leopard. Golden cats and humans also hunt this animal.