Special Sub-Topic: Smallest Antelope in Africa. The Blue Duiker Click Here To Play: Smallest Antelope in Africa. The Blue Duiker

The blue duiker's diet MOSTLY consists of leaves, shoots and other greenery.

True. They follow troops of monkeys and birds to take advantage of any fruit they may drop. They do, however supplement their diet with meat, eating insects and even stalking and eating small rodents or birds. They have a great fondness for ants!

Blue duikers are found in all temperate regions of the world.

False. Blue duikers are found only in Central and Southern Africa.

The blue duiker (pronounced 'day cur')is found in the southern part of Africa. The word 'duiker' which is Afrikaans/Dutch, means which of the following?

diver. He is named 'diver' because of his shy nature which has him diving into cover when startled.

What family group does a blue duiker form?

Alone or in pairs. Bonded pairs patrol their territory and mark them with scent from glands situated in their hooves and also by defecating. They will chase off all intruders and only remain tolerant of their young until these are mature (about one and a half years).

The blue duiker is thus called because he has

Blue tinge to his coat. This duiker has a brown coat with a slight blue tinge and a white underside. He stands around 35cms at shoulder height. They have a glandular slit beneath each eye. They have small, simple conical horns, sometimes absent in the female.

Where do blue duikers live?

Lowland and mountain forest. They live in lowland and mountain riverine forest. They also live in forest patches. Where we live there is a small forest, part of a holiday park adjoining our property and we regularly see the blue duiker following the troops of monkeys that feed in the trees in the early dawn or late evening. Beautiful little creatures.

What sound does a blue duiker make?

Whistling, sneezing call. The mother and young will call to each other with a soft groaning call, males may emit a whistling or sneezing sound to warn of danger.

The blue duiker has no predators.

False. Leopards, small cats, eagles, crocodiles, python, baboon are all common predators. They are also hunted by indigenous people for their meat.

The young accompany the adults from the day of birth.

False. The young will remain hidden away from the female for two to three months. Mostly one young is produced per year, but in heavily hunted areas two or even three young may be born. The young may be born at any time of the year.

Are blue duiker an endangered species?

No. At present they are fairly plentiful, but as our forests diminish and human greed takes over we fear for these beautiful and smallest of all antelopes.