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Dik-dik
Madoqua Kirkii
-3.60331, 35.7844
Field Notes
Description:
Dik-dik is a small antelope that lives in the bushes of East Africa. They stand approx 12–16 inches at the shoulder, are 20-28 inches long, weigh 7-16 pounds and can live for up to 10 years. Dik-diks are named for the alarm calls of the females, which make a dik-dik, or zik-zik sound. In addition to the female's alarm call, both the male and female make a shrill whistling sound. These calls often alert a variety of other animals to any disturbance in the area. Consequently, hunters regard dik-diks as a nuisance and have killed great numbers in the past in order to prevent them from scaring away game animals.
Habitat:
The Dik-dik lives in grasslands of southern Africa. Dik-diks seek habitats with plentiful supply of edible plants such as shrubs, but prefer foliage that is not so tall as to obstruct their sight lines. They live in open plains amongst other grass-eaters such as giraffes, zebras, and other antelopes. Dik-diks may live in places as varied as dense forest or open plain, but they must have good cover and not too much tall grass or plants. The Dik-dik also uses the small plants for food, and to hide from predators. They will move when the grass grows too tall for them to see over. They usually live in pairs over a 5 hectare (12 acre) territory. The territories are often in low, shrubby bushes along dry, rocky streambeds where there are plenty of hiding places. Dik-diks can blend in with their surroundings, because of their dusty colored fur. Dik-diks have a series of runways through and around the borders of their territories to block off other Dik-diks, mainly females.
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