Okapis show dominance with body posture, as dominant okapi maintain an erect stature and subordinates lower their heads to the ground in submission.
Male okapis stretch their necks as a way of competing for dominance, a behavior most commonly seen during breeding.
Dominant okapi have an erect stature with their necks held straight and their heads tilted high. They may also point their noses away from the body’s midline, which increases the visual impact of the neck’s length. Subordinates may place the neck and head on the ground, a clear sign of submission.
Sources: (Bodmer & Rabb, 1992; Palkovacs, 2000; Prothero & Schoch, 202; Simmons & Scheepers, 1996)
Image: Tambako the Jaguar
