Debbie Maton, age 11, of Youngstown, Ohio, for her question:

WHAT IS AN OKAPI?

An okapi is a rare and strangely colored animal that is a member of the giraffe family. He stands about five feet high at the shoulders but has a long neck. His sloping body makes the forelegs look longer than the hind ones, just as is the case with the giraffe.

An okapi's body is reddish brown in color and his legs have creamy white stripes and bands. His face is also creamy white, but his nose and pointed ears are either black or deep brown.

The okapi was unknown until 1900. That year he was discovered in the dense forests of the Congo Valley in Africa.

The okapi is a shy animal and still lives only in the remotest of jungles.