Editing Okapi (section)

===Reproduction===
[[File:Okapi and calf at White Oak.jpg |thumbnail|A female okapi with her calf at White Oak Conservation]]
Female okapis become [[sexual maturity|sexually mature]] at about one-and-a-half years old, while males reach maturity after two years. [[Rut (mammalian reproduction)|Rut]] in males and [[estrus]] in females does not depend on the season. In captivity, estrous cycles recur every 15&nbsp;days.<ref name=kingdon/><ref name=reproduction>{{cite journal |last1=Schwarzenberger |first1=F. |last2=Rietschel |first2=W. |last3=Matern |first3=B. |last4=Schaftenaar |first4=W. |last5=Bircher |first5=P. |last6=van Puijenbroeck |first6=B. |last7=Leus |first7=K. |title=Noninvasive reproductive monitoring in the okapi (''Okapia johnstoni'') |journal=Journal of Zoo and Wildlife Medicine |publisher=The American Association of Zoo Veterinarians |date=December 1999 |volume=30 |issue=4 |pages=497–503 |pmid=10749434}}</ref> The male and the female begin [[courtship display|courtship]] by circling, smelling, and licking each other. The male shows his interest by extending his neck, tossing his head, and protruding one leg forward. This is followed by mounting and [[copulation (zoology)|copulation]].<ref name=grzimek/>

The [[gestational period]] is around 440 to 450&nbsp;days long, following which usually a single calf is born, weighing {{convert|14|-|30|kg|lb|abbr=on}}. The [[udder]] of the pregnant female starts swelling 2&nbsp;months before [[parturition]], and [[vulva]]l discharges may occur. Parturition takes 3–4&nbsp;hours, and the female stands throughout this period, though she may rest during brief intervals. The mother consumes the afterbirth and extensively grooms the infant. Her milk is very rich in proteins and low in fat.<ref name=kingdon/>

As in other ruminants, the infant can stand within 30&nbsp;minutes of birth. Although generally similar to adults, newborn calves have long hairs around the eye (resembling false eyelashes), a long dorsal [[Mane (horse)|mane]], and long white hairs in the stripes.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Jirik |first1=Kate |title=Okapia johnstoni Fact Sheet |url=https://ielc.libguides.com/sdzg/factsheets/okapi/characteristics |website=ielc.libguides.com |publisher=[[San Diego Zoo Wildlife Alliance]] |access-date=28 August 2021 |language=en}}</ref> These features gradually disappear and give way to the general appearance within a year. The juveniles are kept in hiding, and nursing takes place infrequently. Calves are known not to defecate for the first month or two of life, which is hypothesized to help avoid predator detection in their most vulnerable phase of life.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/en/2019/09/02/rare-okapi-born/|title=Rare okapi born in Rotterdam Zoo|date=2019-09-02|website=Rotterdam Zoo|language=en-US|access-date=2020-02-20|archive-date=20 February 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200220145536/https://www.diergaardeblijdorp.nl/en/2019/09/02/rare-okapi-born/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The growth rate of calves is appreciably high in the first few months of life, after which it gradually declines. Juveniles start taking solid food from 3&nbsp;months, and weaning takes place at 6&nbsp;months. Ossicone development in males takes 1&nbsp;year after birth. The okapi's typical lifespan is 20–30&nbsp;years.<ref name=bodmer/>