Black duiker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Black duiker |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Cephalophus niger | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
 |
|
| Distribution of Black duiker |
The black duiker (Cephalophus niger) is a small type of duiker antelope. It is also called tuba in the Dyula language. These shy animals live in forests in West Africa. You can find them in countries like Sierra Leone, Liberia, Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Benin, and Nigeria.
Contents
Meet the Black Duiker
Black duikers are known for their dark coats. They stand about 500 mm (20 in) tall at the shoulder. They usually weigh between 15 and 20 kg (33 and 44 lb).
What They Look Like
As their name suggests, black duikers have mostly black fur. Their head, however, is a rusty red color. They also have a noticeable red crest of hair between their ears. Both male and female black duikers have horns. Males have longer, thinner horns, usually 80 to 170 mm (3.1 to 6.7 in) long. Female horns are much shorter, only about 30 mm (1.2 in).
Where They Live
Black duikers prefer to live in lowland rainforests. These are dense forests with lots of tall trees. They spend their time on the forest floor.
What They Eat
These duikers are herbivores, meaning they eat plants. They mostly munch on fruits, flowers, and leaves. They find their food after it has fallen from the forest canopy (the top layer of trees).
Daily Life and Behavior
Black duikers are thought to be active during the day. This idea comes from watching them in zoos. They are usually solitary animals, meaning they live alone. They also tend to be territorial, defending their own space from other duikers.
Black Duiker Babies
Black duikers can have babies all year long. However, more young are born between November and January.
Birth and Growth
A female duiker is pregnant for about 126 days. This is a fairly short time. She usually gives birth to just one baby at a time. A newborn black duiker weighs around 1.94 kg (4.3 lb). The baby drinks its mother's milk for about 90 days. After that, it starts eating solid food. A female can have another baby about seven and a half months later. In zoos, black duikers can live for up to 14 years.
Protecting Black Duikers
It is estimated that there are about 100,000 black duikers left in the wild. Their numbers are decreasing.
Threats to Their Survival
The main threat to black duikers is hunting. People hunt them for their meat. This hunting, along with other challenges, is causing their population to decline across the areas where they live. Efforts are being made to protect these unique forest animals.
