The common duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), also known as the gray duiker or bush duiker, is a small antelope and the only member of the genus Sylvicapra. This species is found everywhere in Africa south of the Sahara, excluding the Horn of Africa and the rainforests of the central and western parts of the continent.

A duiker / ˈdaɪkər / is a small to medium-sized brown antelope native to sub-Saharan Africa, found in heavily wooded areas. The 22 extant species, including three sometimes considered to be subspecies of the other species, form the subfamily Cephalophinae or the tribe Cephalophini.

duiker, (tribe Cephalophini), any of 17 or 18 species of forest-dwelling antelopes (subfamily Cephalophinae, family Bovidae) found only in Africa. Duiker derives from the Afrikaans duikerbok (“diving buck”), which describes the sudden headlong flight of duikers flushed from hiding.

Their habit of seeming to dive into the undergrowth gives them their common name, duiker, which is derived from Afrikaans for "diving buck." Yellow-backed duikers also hold their yellow rump hairs erect when agitated.

What does the common duiker eat? These animals are omnivores. Their diet includes fruits, herbs, seeds, flowers, leaves, roots, small animals and carrion. They have been recorded to dig up crops including potatoes and peanuts from fields. In arid areas they obtain their moisture needs from wild melons.

Duiker means “diving” in Afrikaans. It’s the perfect name, because this antelope spends most of its days diving to safety in high grass and thickets. Here is the full story on the duiker’s daunting day to day battle for survival on the African savanna. These are small antelope.

Unlike the forest species, the bush duiker has longer legs and can run fast for long distances. All duikers freeze and crouch to escape detection. They have dark, glossy coats and tails that have white hair that contrasts with the dark body.

2019年11月12日 · A fun fact: the blue refers to the coloration of their hair, which appears to be blue under the forest shade and duiker is an Afrikaans word meaning ‘diver’ or ‘diving buck’, describing their behavior, which is to dive into undergrowth and disappearing into the bush when threatened or alarmed.

2021年3月3日 · They are known for being easily alarmed and extremely shy, earning the epithet ‘diver’ or ‘diving buck’ in Afrikaans for deftly avoiding threats or agitation in their immediate environment. With their distinctive zigzag run, they can evade predators quickly and take cover in the nearest vegetation.