Red forest duiker

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Red forest duiker

Least Concern  (IUCN 3.1)[1]
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Cephalophus
Species:
C. natalensis
Binomial name
Cephalophus natalensis
A. Smith, 1834
Distribution of red forest duiker

The red forest duiker, Natal duiker, or Natal red duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) is a small

Cephalophinae. While the red forest duiker is very similar to the common duiker, it is smaller in size and has a distinguishing reddish coloring. Additionally, the red forest duiker favors a denser bush habitat than the common duiker.[2] The Natal red duiker is more diurnal and less secretive than most forest duikers, so therefore it is easier for them to be observed.[3] In 1999, red forest duikers had an estimated wild population of 42,000 individuals.[1]

Description

Red forest duikers have a body length of up to 1 m (3.3 ft), a typical shoulder height of 43 cm (17 in), and an average mass of 14 kg (31 lb).

striations, but they are smooth towards the tips.[5] The longest recorded length of horns for the red forest duiker is 11 cm (4.3 in).[2]

The red forest duiker is a rich reddish-brown in color, although the underparts are typically paler.[2] The hairs on the chin, throat, and insides of the ears are commonly a shade of white.[2] A tuft of reddish-brown and black hairs grow between the horns, and the tail has a white tip.[2]

A notable characteristic of the Natal red duiker's appearance is its hunched back, with front legs shorter than the hind legs.[4] These longer hind legs are in a crouched position, which serves as an advantage when the duiker senses danger and needs to flee by allowing the individual to leap quickly into nearby bush.[6]

Behavior and social organization

Red forest duikers tend to roam singly, in pairs, or small family groups, and it is rare to see a group of more than three individuals.[5][6] The cry of red forest duikers is rather distinctive, loud, and penetrating, sounding somewhere between a snort and a whistle.

leopards.[6]

Also, red forest duikers are quite territorial, and they often mark their territory by using a substance secreted from the maxillary glands near their eyes.

scent marking by rubbing its face on grass, twigs, bark or other surfaces to indicate its territorial boundaries.[4] Sometimes, the Natal red duiker will even mark its territory on its mate or calf.[4]

Feeding and foraging

Red forest duikers browse on leaves, flowers, and fruits that have fallen from trees as well as low-growing shrubs.

nocturnal.[7] They are concentrate feeders, as they do not have the ability to digest fiber well.[6]

Reproduction and lifespan

On average, the

gestation period for a red duiker is about 8 months.[4] When the young are born, they are a reddish-black, with a reddish-brown face.[6] Usually a single calf is born, at any time of year.[6] The young weigh about one kilogram at birth, and they will stay with their mother for approximately six to eight months.[5] Males are not involved in rearing young, but nonetheless both sexes will respond to a distress call from the calf.[5]
Red forest duikers have a potential longevity of 9 years, although some have lived up to 15 years in captivity.[2][3]

Habitat and distribution

Red forest duikers reside in forest and dense bush habitats in both mountainous and coastal areas, where surface water is readily available.[2]

This species can be found in southeastern Tanzania, Malawi, extreme northeastern Zambia, Mozambique, Eswatini, southeastern Zimbabwe, and northeast South Africa.[3] Red forest duikers can be found in Kruger National Park, Hluhluwe-Umfolozi National Park, and Tembe Elephant Park.[6]

Conservation threats

The red forest duiker's biggest threat is the clearing of its natural habitat, either for agriculture or human habitation.[6] Natal red duikers have disappeared from large parts of their former

range, largely as a result of the loss of suitable habitat in the face of expanding human settlement, agriculture, and hunting. Nonetheless, it remains locally common within its former range.[8]
Despite the decreasing population trends, the red forest duiker retains a status of Least Concern by the
IUCN.[8]

Interesting facts

1. The red forest duiker has an extraordinary jumping ability when compared to other

ungulates, easily clearing 1.3 meter tall nets.[9]

2. Duiker is a word meaning 'diver' in Dutch, which refers to their practice of diving into tangles of shrubbery.

References

  1. ^
    doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2016-1.RLTS.T4144A50183272.en
    . Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i Weston, Russell (16 March 2019). "Red Duiker - African Animals - Antelope - Wildlife Safari.info". www.wildlifesafari.info.
  3. ^ a b c "Natal Red Duiker - Big Game Hunting Records - Safari Club International Online Record Book". www.scirecordbook.org.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g WAZA. "Red Forest Duiker - Cephalophus natalensis : WAZA : World Association of Zoos and Aquariums". www.waza.org. Archived from the original on 2015-09-05. Retrieved 2015-04-28.
  5. ^ a b c d "Red Duiker - Common Duiker - South Africa". www.krugerpark.co.za.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Ecotravel.co.za".
  7. ^ a b "Natal Red Duiker - Cephalophus natalensis A. Smith, 1834 - Overview - Encyclopedia of Life". Encyclopedia of Life.
  8. ^ a b "Cephalophus natalensis (Natal Duiker, Natal Red Duiker, Red Forest Duiker)". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
  9. doi:10.4102/koedoe.v22i1.662
     – via www.koedoe.co.za.
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