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Okapi Facts for Kids: O Is for Okapi

Okapis have striped legs like a zebra, but their closest relative is the giraffe. They use their long tongues to grab leaves. Here are easy okapi facts for kids: what okapis eat, how big they grow, what a baby okapi is called and where okapis live. Read them out loud, try the quiz, then color the letter O.

Mammaltype
Herbivorediet
Calfbaby name
Smiling cartoon octopus with curly arms next to a big yellow letter O
Free coloring pageLetter O, PDF
Fun facts

Fun Facts About Okapis

Two more true facts about the okapi that kids love. Tap the button to hear the name, then read each fact together.

Oo

Say “Okapi”

Okapi starts with the letter O. Clap once for each part of the word as you say it.

1

Did you know?

The okapi is the giraffe’s closest relative.

2

One more fact

Its tongue is long enough to clean its ears.

Act it outMove like an okapi for ten seconds.
Spot the letterFind the letter O in “Okapi”.
Ask a questionWhat would an okapi eat for breakfast?
Quick facts

Okapi Facts at a Glance

Everything a curious kid wants to know about the okapi, in eight short cards.

Food

Herbivore

Okapis eat leaves, buds and fruit.

Plant eater
Size

How big?

An okapi is about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall.

Body size
Life

How long?

Okapis live for about 20 to 30 years.

Lifespan
Baby

Calf

A baby okapi is called a calf.

Baby name
Group

Group

A group of okapis is called a group.

Group name
Habitat

Rainforests

Okapis are found in rainforests of central Africa.

Where they live
Animal type

Mammal

Okapis have striped legs like a zebra, but their closest relative is the giraffe. They use their long tongues to grab leaves.

Okapi is a mammal
Letter

O is for okapi

Okapi has 5 letters and starts with O.

Say: Okapi
Quick quiz

Okapi Quiz for Kids

A tiny game to check what stuck. Read the question out loud and let your little one tap the answer.

Question 1
Score: 0

Free download
O is for Okapi Color the letters, then trace them below. O o O o O o O o O o O o O o
Free printable

Okapi Coloring Page: Letter O Worksheet

Done reading about the okapi? Print the free letter O sheet, say “O is for okapi” together and color the big letters. Great for circle time, morning work or a quiet afternoon at home.

1
Download the PDFOne click, no sign-up or email
2
Print at home or schoolFits US Letter and A4 paper
3
Color and traceBig letters and dotted tracing lines
Uppercase OLowercase oTracing practiceFind the O animals
Download Free PDF 3 pages, black & white
Questions

Okapi Questions Kids Ask

All FAQs

Okapis eat leaves, buds and fruit. That makes the okapi a herbivore, which means it is a plant eater.

An okapi is about 1.5 m (5 ft) tall.

Okapis live for about 20 to 30 years.

A baby okapi is called a calf.

A group of okapis is called a group.

Okapis live in rainforests of central Africa. Their favorite habitat is: rainforests.

Yes. The okapi is a mammal. Okapis have striped legs like a zebra, but their closest relative is the giraffe. They use their long tongues to grab leaves.

Okapi starts with the letter O. Say it slowly and listen for the O sound at the start.

Keep exploring

More Animals Like the Okapi

Other O animals and more mammals to read about next.

All O animals
Mollusk

An octopus has eight arms covered in suckers that can grab and even taste. It has three hearts and blue blood!

Lives in: Ocean Read octopus facts
Bird

Owls can turn their heads much farther than we can, about three-quarters of the way around. Their soft feathers let them fly almost silently.

Lives in: Forests Read owl facts
Mammal

Zebus are cattle with a big hump on their shoulders and loose, floppy skin under their necks. They handle hot weather well, so farmers in India and Africa keep many of them.

Lives in: Farms Read zebu facts
Mammal

Walruses use their long tusks to help pull themselves up onto the ice. Their stiff whiskers help them find clams on the dark sea floor.

Lives in: Arctic Read walrus facts