Question

Sir Harry H. Johnston (1858 - 1927), an explorer and author, was in the Colonial Administration of British Central Africa when he identified the okapi as a new species in 1901. Because of its stripes, it was initially classified as a zebra, Equus johnstoni. The okapi is sometimes known as the forest giraffe.

Option 1: True
Option 2: False

Answer 1

The claim that the okapi was initially classified as a zebra is false; it was recognized early on for its unique features, although it is known as the forest giraffe due to its resemblance to both zebras and giraffes.

Step-by-step explanation:

Sir Harry H. Johnston, while working within the Colonial Administration of British Central Africa, did identify the okapi as a new species; however, it was not initially classified as a zebra, or Equus johnstoni, but rather recognized for its unique characteristics fairly early. Although the okapi does sport striped markings reminiscent of zebras, it is actually more closely related to the giraffe. The claim that the okapi is sometimes known as the forest giraffe is true. Therefore, the true statement would be that the okapi, due to its stripes, may bring to mind a zebra, but it was not classified as such, and it is indeed referred to as the forest giraffe.