Duiker

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A Duiker is any of 18 small to medium-sized antelope species from the Bovidae family. They are native to Sub-Saharan Africa.

(CC) Photo: Gustav Mützel
Maxwell's duiker, (Cephalophus maxwelli).

Species

Taxonomy

Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Subfamily: Cephalophinae


Genera: Cephalophus, Sylvicapra

Physical Characteristics

Habitat

Diet

The duiker has a varied feeding habits. Most of their diet consists of foliage from bushes and trees. There small size limits the reach of food sources. Berries and fruit that have fallen naturally (or picked and dropped by other animals) are essential in every day diet. They have a large mouth that allows them to feed on sizable fruits, mushrooms and other bulky items. Sometimes under circumstances duikers may eat insects, lizards, rodents and birds. These creatures are an omnivore, meaning an animal that feeds on both animal and plant substances. This broad based subsistence means duikers are not specifically adapted to only eat and digest either meat or plant material.


Conservation and Threats

Links

<a href="http://www.animalorphanagekenya.org" target="_top">Mount Kenya Wildlife Conservancy - the animal orphanage</a>