Forest duiker
The forest duiker is a group of small antelopes native to the rainforests of central and southern Africa, belonging to the genus Cephalophus. The term "duiker" is derived from Afrikaans, meaning "diver," reflecting these animals' instinctive behavior to hide when threatened. There are 15 recognized species of forest duikers, which can vary significantly in size and coat color, ranging from Ader's duiker at approximately 27.5 inches long and weighing up to 26 pounds, to the larger yellow-backed duiker, which can measure up to 57 inches in length and weigh as much as 176 pounds.
Forest duikers are primarily nocturnal and exhibit solitary or paired behavior, marking their territories with scent glands. Their diet is diverse, including leaves, fruits, and even small animals, setting them apart from typical herbivorous bovids. Mating rituals involve scent tracking and social interactions, with a gestation period of four to seven months resulting in the birth of a single offspring. While the lifespan of forest duikers in the wild remains largely unknown, they can live up to 15 years in captivity. Overall, these animals play a unique role in their ecosystems, reflecting the intricate connections of forest life.
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Forest duiker
Forest duikers are a group of species unique to the African continent. Resembling deer and antelope, these animals are named for their ability to dive and hide at the sight of danger because duiker is Afrikaans for "diver."
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Cephalophinae (duiker)
Genus: Cephalophus
Species: Various (see below)
Forest duikers are small antelopes of the genus Cephalophus, one of three genera that make up the Cephalophinae (duiker) subfamily of bovines. As their name suggests, they live in forests, specifically the large rain forests of central and southern Africa. There are 15 different species of forest duikers. Generally, duikers have stocky, short, low-hanging bodies with thin legs, pointed heads with a crest of hair, and large eyes. Their shape and size helps them to move quickly through dense brush and forest.
The main differences between the species is in the size of the animal and the color of its coat. There are brown, black, tan, white and blue-gray colored forest duikers. They range in size from the smallest Ader's duiker—with a head and body length of just 27 1/2 inches (70 centimeters) and weighing 15 to 26 pounds (seven to 12 kilograms)—to the largest yellow-backed duiker—with a head and body length between 45 and 57 inches (115 to 145 centimeters) and weighing between 99 and 176 pounds (45 to 80 kilograms).
Forest duikers live alone or in pairs. They mark their territories by rubbing their scent glands against the trees. Forest duikers like to eat leaves, twigs, berries, plant matter, bark, young shoots, buds, seeds, and, most of all, fruit. Unlike most bovidae, forest duikers are not herbivorous, or non-meat eating. These little forest animals prey on insects, frogs, snails and sometimes even birds, hatchlings, and dead animal flesh (called carrion). Forest duikers are most active at night. They take cover in the forest undergrowth when hiding from a predator such as a crowned eagle, python, or leopard.
Mating for forest duikers begin by two duikers tracking each other's scent marks. They then rub cheeks as part of the mating ritual and to get to know each other. A male forest duiker will fight for an established mate. The gestation period (duration of pregnancy) is between four and seven months depending on the particular species of forest duiker. After that time the female will give birth to one offspring and mark it with her scent.
The life span of a forest duiker in the wild is unknown, but in captivity they live between 10 and 15 years.
The 15 species of forest duiker are:
- Black duiker, Cephalophus niger
- Peters's duiker, Cephalophus callipygus
- Weyns's duiker, Cephalophus weynsi
- White-bellied duiker, Cephalophus leucogaster
- Red duiker, Cephalophus natalensis
- Harvey's duiker, Cephalophus harveyi
- Red-flanked duiker, Cephalophus rufilatus
- Black-fronted duiker, Cephalophus nigrifrons
- Jentink's duiker, Cephalophus jentinki
- Bay duiker, Cephalophus dorsalis
- Yellow-backed duiker, Cephalophus silvicultor
- Abbott's duiker, Cephalophus spadix
- Ogilby's duiker, Cephalophus ogilbyi
- Zebra duiker, Cephalophus zebra
Bibliography
“Duiker.” African Wildlife Foundation, www.awf.org/wildlife-conservation/duiker. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
Hanson, B. “Cephalophus Rufilatus.” Animal Diversity Web, 2006, animaldiversity.org/accounts/Cephalophus/classification/#Cephalophus. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
“Subfamily Cephalophinae - Duikers.” Ultimate Ungulate, www.ultimateungulate.com/Artiodactyla/Cephalophinae.html. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.