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Common Duiker

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iCommon Duiker

Conservation status

Image:Status iucn2.3 LC.svg
Least concern (LR/lc)

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Scientific classification

Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Cephalophinae
Genus:	Sylvicapra Ogilby, 1837
Species:	S. grimmia

Binomial name

Sylvicapra grimmia
(Linnaeus, 1758)

The Common Duiker, Sylvicapra grimmia, also known as the Gray or Bush Duiker, is a small antelope with small horns found in west, central, east, and southern Africa- essentially everywhere in africa south of the Sahara, excluding the horn of africa and the rainforests of central and western africa. Generally they are found in habitat that has sufficient vegetation cover to allow them to hide- savanna and hilly areas, including the fringes of human settlements.

Colouration of this species varies wildly over its vast geographic range ( there are thought to be as many as 19 subspecies ); from chestnut in forested areas of Angola to grizzled gray in northern savannas and light brown shades in arid regions. It grows to about 4 feet (1.2 m) in length and generally weighs from between weighs 12-25 kg; although females are generally larger and heavier than their male counterparts. The male bears horns which can grow to 4.25 inches (11 cm) long.Breeding is year round and the female gives birth to one fawn after a gestation period of what is variously estimated at 3 - 7.5 months. The common duiker has a wide diet; beyond herbivorous browsing for leaves, flowers, fruits and tubers, they will also eat insects, frogs, small birds and mammals and even carrion. As long as they have vegetation to eat ( from which they get some water), they can go without drinking for very long periods.In the rainy season they will frequently not drink water at all, instead obtaining fluids from fruits- they will often scavenge foir these below trees in which monkeys are feeding above. They are active both day and night but become more nocturnal near human settlements.

Males are territorial and smear gland secretions on rocks and branchs in order to mark their territories; their preferred resting places are generally on elevated ground where they can observe their territory. Females, by contrast, prefer deeper cover. The overall success of this species stems from its ability to inhabit a wide variety of habitats as well as from its adaptable, generalist diet.

[edit] References

Antelope Specialist Group (1996). Sylvicapra grimmia. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 12 May 2006.
Animal, Smithsonian Institution, 2005, pg. 250
"Collins guide to African wildlife", Peter C. Alden, Richard D. Estes, Duane Schlitter, Bunny Mcbride, Harper Collins publishers, September 2004
"Dorling Kindersley Mammal handbook", Editorial consultant; Juliet Clutton-Brock, Dorling Kindersley limited, 2002