Blue Duiker

The blue duiker is a small antelope found in central, southern and eastern Africa. It is the smallest species of duiker. The species was first described by Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg in 1789. 12 subspecies are identified. The blue duiker reaches 32–41 centimetres at the shoulder and weighs 3.5–9 kilograms. The species is prey to a few predators namely leopard, caracal, wild dogs, hyenas, pythons, crowned eagles, baboons, crocodiles, monitors and humans. They may host external parasites and internally they host several species of nematodes. The blue duiker is hunted by humans in many parts of Africa for meat and income. They are known to follow in the wake of monkeys and birds, eating fruit that those animals drop. Duikers get their name from the Dutch word for “diver” because when disturbed, they tend to dive into dense underbrush and disappear. Blue duikers form monogamous pairs and stay together throughout the year.

Conservation status: Least Concern (Population stable) 

Scientific name: Philantomba monticola

Mass: 11 lbs (Adult) 

Trophic level: Omnivorous 

Gestation period: 205 days 

Family: Bovidae

Kingdom: Animalia