Red forest duiker facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Red forest duiker |
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| Conservation status | |
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Cephalophus
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| Species: |
natalensis
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| Distribution of red forest duiker | |
The red forest duiker, also known as the Natal duiker, is a small antelope found in central and southern Africa. It is one of 22 types of duikers. While it looks similar to the common duiker, the red forest duiker is smaller. It also has a special reddish color. This duiker prefers to live in denser bush habitats.
The Natal red duiker is more active during the day. It is also less secretive than most forest duikers. This makes them easier to observe in the wild. In 1999, scientists estimated there were about 42,000 red forest duikers.
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What Does a Red Forest Duiker Look Like?
Red forest duikers can grow up to about 3.3 feet (1 meter) long. Their shoulder height is usually around 1.4 feet (43 centimeters). They weigh about 31 pounds (14 kilograms) on average. Both male and female duikers have short, straight horns. These horns are about 2.4 inches (6 centimeters) long. Female horns might be a bit smaller. The horns have rough rings and lines near the bottom. They become smooth towards the tips. The longest horn ever recorded for a red forest duiker was 4.3 inches (11 centimeters).
The red forest duiker has a rich reddish-brown color. Its belly and underside are usually paler. The hairs on its chin, throat, and inside its ears are often white. A tuft of reddish-brown and black hairs grows between its horns. Its tail has a white tip.
A special feature of the Natal red duiker is its hunched back. Its front legs are shorter than its back legs. These longer back legs are held in a crouched position. This helps the duiker leap quickly into nearby bushes if it senses danger.
How Red Forest Duikers Behave
Red forest duikers usually live alone, in pairs, or in small family groups. It is rare to see more than three duikers together.
Their cry is very clear, loud, and piercing. It sounds like a mix between a snort and a whistle. If the animal is in trouble, its call becomes a deep, throaty cry. When a predator spots a duiker, it will first freeze. Then, it will jump away with a special "diving" motion into the safety of thick bushes. Some common predators of the red duiker include eagles, pythons, and leopards.
Red forest duikers are also very territorial. They often mark their area using a special liquid. This liquid comes from glands near their eyes. A duiker will rub its face on grass, twigs, or tree bark. This helps it show where its territory ends. Sometimes, a Natal red duiker will even mark its mate or calf.
What Red Forest Duikers Eat
Red forest duikers eat leaves, flowers, and fruits. They find these items after they have fallen from trees. They also eat low-growing shrubs. They usually eat during the day. However, in busy areas, duikers might become active at night. They are "concentrate feeders." This means they cannot digest tough plant fibers very well.
Reproduction and Life Cycle
The gestation period (how long a baby grows inside its mother) for a red duiker is about 8 months. When young duikers are born, they are reddish-black. Their face is reddish-brown. Usually, only one calf is born at a time. This can happen at any time of year. Newborn calves weigh about 2.2 pounds (1 kilogram). They stay with their mother for about six to eight months. Male duikers do not help raise the young. However, both male and female duikers will respond if a calf makes a distress call.
Red forest duikers can live for about 9 years. Some have lived up to 15 years in zoos.
Where Red Forest Duikers Live
Red forest duikers live in forests and dense bush areas. They can be found in both mountains and coastal regions. They need places where water is easy to find.
This species lives in southeastern Tanzania, Malawi, and the far northeastern part of Zambia. They are also found in Mozambique, Eswatini, southeastern Zimbabwe, and northeast South Africa. You can see red forest duikers in Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, and Tembe Elephant Park.
Threats to Red Forest Duikers
The biggest danger to the red forest duiker is the loss of its home. People are clearing forests for farms or building new homes. Natal red duikers have disappeared from many places where they used to live. This is mostly because their habitat is being lost. Hunting also plays a role.
Even though their numbers are going down, the red forest duiker is still listed as "Least Concern" by the IUCN. This means they are not currently in great danger of disappearing.
Interesting Facts About Red Forest Duikers
- The red forest duiker has an amazing jumping ability. It can easily jump over nets that are 4.3 feet (1.3 meters) tall. This is very high for an animal like it!
- The word "duiker" means 'diver' in Dutch. This name comes from their habit of "diving" into thick bushes when they are scared.
