What is an Okapi?

When people see an Okapi at a zoo or in a picture, the number one response is, "oh its a zebra/giraffe hybrid!" Okapis are actually their own species and are the only living relative of the giraffe. They are solitary creatures that live in dense the jungles of central Africa. They are every secretive creatures where not discovered by scientists until 1900. 
In 2008 is was discovered that these creatures not only have a a small range of bleats, coughs, and whistles but also communicate in frequencies too low for us to here. They give these low calls to their babies to make sure they are okay with out having to worry about alerting potential danger like an awaiting leopard.
 Like giraffes, Okapis have a long prehensile tongue. In fact, they can clean their ears inside and out with their tongues! 

This picture was an Okapi I managed to capture flinging its tongue all the way behind the far ear.