Some notes on the physiological and behavioral ontogeny of okapi ( Okapia Johnstoni ) calves

Four okapi calves were monitored from birth for specific behavioral and physiological developmental phenomena. Substantial changes are appropriate in defining normal ranges and averages of some behavioral landmarks previously reported in the literature (i.e., birth weight, first time standing, first attempt to nurse, first successful nurse, and first defecation). Simple, minimally invasive habituation techniques were used to collect daily body temperatures and weights for the four calves from birth to at least 90 days of age. Body temperatures for this time period averaged 38.07°C. Okapi calves appear to take from 51 to 60 days of age to thermoregulate efficiently. The calves grow rapidly, doubling their birth weight within approximately four weeks (28 days), and tripling it by seven weeks of age (49 days). © 1992 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.