Okapi Coloring Pages (Free PDF Printables)- On our website, there are over 10 Okapi coloring pages that are free for you to print and download. The Okapi is arguably one of the most interesting animals created by nature; some claim that it resembles a horse, a zebra, and a giraffe in one.
The okapi is a legendary, mystical creature that most people have not even heard the name. It is native to the dense rainforests of the Democratic Republic of the Congo in Central Africa. In this article, I will provide some facts about okapis and explain why they would make a great subject for a coloring page.
Interesting Facts About Okapis
The okapi is chocolate and velvety on the body but highly colored, with white stripes on legs and hindquarters, like a zebra. Yet, despite such stripes, the okapis actually are more related to giraffes than to zebras! They also have long, flexible tongues (which may be as long as 18 inches) like the giraffes, enabling them to pluck leaves and fruit out of high trees.
The stripes on okapis’ legs are supposed to be flamboyant. They are, however, used to provide camouflage within the shades of dappled sunlight within rainforests. These stripes also serve to interrupt the outline of the animal. This could be easily followed by their enemies, such as the leopards.
Okapis are reserved, loner creatures that only tend to meet in pairs when breeding. Okapis are extremely elusive, and they inhabit forested areas far away. Therefore they are unknown to the western world, until the early 20th century.
The okapi is a very rare animal and a special one. It is now even a national symbol of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Okapi also appears on the logo of the only protective area of its kind in the country, the Okapi Wildlife Reserve.
It is quite unfortunate that today’s okapis face endangerment because of habitat loss and illegal hunting. Conservationists support their survival through measures such as creating conservation reserves.
Why You Should Color an Okapi
Coloring is more than just a pastime activity; it can be educational as well. Here are some other reasons why you should color an Okapi on a coloring page:
- Practice Creativity: Since you know less about these okapis, you are free to choose your colors. It is such a marvelous chance to exercise the practice of shade, combination, and pattern.
- Learn as You Color: Coloring an okapi can create interest in rainforests, African animals, and conservation. It is an entertaining way of getting to know more about biodiversity and why we need to save the endangered species.
- Mindfulness and Relaxation: Similar to any coloring, coloring an okapi coloring page will allow you to unwind and concentrate. Their geometrical designs of their stripes are particularly pleasant to color
- Celebrate a Unique Animal: Coloring an Okapi is a perfect way to celebrate an animal that is both gorgeous and very rare. Their interesting stripes and deep, rich brown coats make for an exciting and not too common coloring page.
Okapi is an interesting, enigmatic creature that has a variety of peculiarities. Coloring an okapi not only entertains you it also makes you unveil your creativity. Coloring helps you raise awareness about this exotic animal, which few people know.