Their jaw muscles allow strong but controlled chewing. This helps process tough forest vegetation. Leaves and bark require endurance chewing. Efficient jaws prevent fatigue. This allows longer feeding sessions. Muscle design matches diet.
This efficiency supports energy balance. Eating well means surviving longer.
It shows how anatomy adapts to food type. Diet drives muscle evolution.
Okapids can chew for hours without strain.
Natural History Museum (nhm.ac.uk)