Okapi The Okapi is a small forest giraffe. The Okapi is a small forest giraffe. Particularly remarkable is the striped fur on its hindquarters, which resembles a zebra. Okapis live in a small area in the African rainforest and eat leaves, fruits, ferns and mushrooms. The animals are very shy and were therefore not discovered until 1890. Fun fact Okapis lick clay to absorb minerals and salts.