| BLUE DUIKER |
| Cephalophus monticola |
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Range:
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Central through southern Africa: Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania |
Predators are Hyenas, wild dogs, cats, crocodiles, baboons, and snakes.
Duikers are diurnal (seen in the daytime). Seen singular or in pairs. Pairings are monogamous. When alarmed, they will emit a whistling call and dart away at a rapid speed into the protection of dense vegetation. They have the largest brain related to body size of any other antelope. They are the smallest of all duikers. Small slits under each eye are scent glands for marking territory. Some females lack horns.
Duikers are members of the antelope family. The name duiker is an African word meaning "divers" referring to the way they plunge into the dense undergrowth when disturbed. Their body is well adapted for this having short forelegs, longer hind legs, and arched body shape. Females are usually 4% longer than males.
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| Habitat: |
Dense vegetation and rain forest, up to 10,000 feet |
| Diet: |
Fallen fruit, seeds, berries, moss and herbs. Leaves, buds, young shoots and grasses. Is the only antelope that regularly includes meat in its diet such as rats, birds and carrion. Monkeys assist them in their hunt for food by knocking down fruit from trees. Seldom drinks, but it may lick water off of leaves. |
| Status: |
Endangered. Killed by farmers for invading crops. Hunted for their meat, skin, and horns. Also threatened by the killing of monkeys, whom they depend on to shake down fruit from high trees. |
| Approximate Dimensions of Adult: |
Head and body length: 22-28 inches
Tail length: 3-5 inches
Weight: 9-13 lbs. |
| Lifespan: |
10-15 years in captivity. |
| Reproduction & Offspring: |
Females reach sexual maturity by 9-12 months and males in 12-18 months. Breeding is during any time of the year. A pair will have one fawn per year, but may have 2-3 per year if they are subjected to hunting pressure. Gestation: about 4 months. Calf weight: About 2 lbs. When a kid is born the father leaves the territory for 1 month to protect the newborn from predation. The mother is left to care for young alone. Kid is weaned after 5 months at the latest. |
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