Common duiker

Common duiker
Adult male in Pendjari National Park, Benin
Adult female in the Kruger National Park, South Africa
Conservation status
Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification
Domain:	Eukaryota
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Mammalia
Order:	Artiodactyla
Family:	Bovidae
Subfamily:	Cephalophinae
Genus:	Sylvicapra Ogilby, 1837
Species:	S. grimmia
Binomial name
Sylvicapra grimmia (Linnaeus, 1758)
Synonyms
Capra grimmia Linnaeus, 1758 Moschus grimmia Linnaeus, 1766

The common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), also known as the gray duiker or bush duiker, is a small antelope and the only member of the genus Sylvicapra. This species is found everywhere in Africa south of the Sahara, excluding the Horn of Africa and the rainforests of the central and western parts of the continent. Generally, they are found in habitats with sufficient vegetation cover to allow them to hide—savannah and hilly areas, including the fringes of human settlements.^[2]

Colouration of this species varies widely over its vast geographic range. There are 14 subspecies described,^[1] ranging from chestnut in forested areas of Angola to grizzled gray in northern savannas and light brown shades in arid regions. It grows to about 50 cm (20 in) in height and generally weighs 12 to 25 kg (26 to 55 lb); females are generally larger and heavier than the males. Only the male has horns and these can grow to 11 cm (4.3 in) long.

Breeding is year round and the female gives birth to one fawn after a gestation period of 6 to 7.5 months. The common duiker has a wide diet; beyond browsing for leaves, flowers, fruits and tubers, they will also eat insects, frogs, small birds and mammals, and even carrion. As long as they have vegetation to eat (from which they get some water), they can go without drinking for very long periods. In the rainy season, they will frequently not drink water at all, instead obtaining fluids from fruits. They will often scavenge for these fruits below trees in which monkeys are feeding. They are active both day and night, but become more nocturnal near human settlements, presumably due to the presence of feral dogs and humans.

Males are territorial and smear gland secretions on rocks and branches to mark their territories; their preferred resting places are generally on elevated ground, where they can observe their territory. Females, by contrast, prefer deeper cover. The overall success of this species stems from its ability to inhabit a wide variety of habitats, as well as from its adaptable, generalist diet.

• 
  Juvenile male, Kidepo Valley N.P., Uganda
• 
  young male in Kruger Park
• 
  adult male in Kruger Park
• 
  female, Maputo National Park, Mozambique

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• Animal. Smithsonian Institution, 2005, pg. 250
• Alden, P. C., et al. Collins Guide to African Wildlife. Harper Collins, 2004.
• Clutton-Brock, J., ed. Dorling Kindersley Mammal Handbook. Dorling Kindersley Limited, 2002.
• Briggs, P. East African Wildlife. Bradt Travel Guides Limited, 2007.