white-bellied duiker
Quick Summary
The white-bellied duiker is one of 17 to 18 species of forest-dwelling antelopes found only in Africa. The name "duiker" comes from the Afrikaans word for "diving buck," describing their habit of fleeing headlong when startled.1
These antelopes are compact with short necks and strong legs, adapted for moving through dense forest undergrowth. They have cryptic coloration, often grizzled, and possess a distinctive erectile tuft of hair on their crown. Both males and females have short horns, though females of some species lack them.1
The white-bellied duiker, specifically, prefers areas with broken canopy and dense undergrowth within the forest. Their diet consists mainly of fruits, but also includes leaves, flowers, fungi, insects, and small vertebrates. Duikers typically live in monogamous pairs that defend a territory.1
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