Okapis are generally tranquil, but males can be aggressive when competing for females, engaging in neck fighting, head butting, head throwing, kicking, charging, and slapping.
Okapis are generally tranquil and non-aggressive, but males can be aggressive when competing for females.
Male okapi will engage in ritualized neck fighting, head butting, and charging in order to compete for females. They also seem to exhibit several aggressive behaviors including kicking, head-throwing, and slaps using the side or top of the head as a blow to the flank or rump. Kicking is often symbolic, however, not often making contact.
Sources: (Bodmer & Rabb, 1992; Palkovacs, 2000; Prothero & Schoch, 202; Simmons & Scheepers, 1996)
Image: Matthew Baldwin
