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Scientific Name: Cephalophus monticola
Common Name: Blue Duiker, Blou duiker
Weight and Height: Males: wt 10 lb (4.6 kg), ht 13 in (32.5 cm)
Females: wt 12 lb (5.4 kg), ht 14 in (36.2 kg)
Horns: 2 in (5 cm); Both sexes have short horns.
Coat: Short and glossy
Colour: Blue-gray to maroon with bluish tint on back; white under
parts
and underside of tail.
General Locations: Ranges from in eastern and south-eastern African
forests and wooded areas. Many duikers are found to the west of Nigeria in
rainforests and other wooded areas.
Habitat: Duikers tend to stay in large areas and avoid dense
undergrowth. They are very choosy feeders -- diet will vary depending on season
and environment.
Food: Duikers feed primarily on small fruits in rainforest, flowers,
insects and fungi.
Activity: Duikers are diurnal animals. They generally spend 7 hours
each day searching for food and typically range about 1/2 mi (1 km) each day.
Duikers return to the same area each night to sleep, which is considered quite
rare.
Social System: Most territories are around 6 to 10 acres, which is
considered small by most standards. Duikers appear to be monogamous animals
where the male and female share responsibilities.
Reproduction: Most pairs produce one lamb per year, if they are part
of an un-hunted forest population. However, in heavily hunted areas, females can
produce 2 to 3 young per year.
Gestation: approx 4 months.
Enemies: Due to their size and tendency to range in large open areas,
blue duikers are very vulnerable to predators. Crowned hawk eagle, golden cat,
leopard, and baboon are the most common predators.
Interesting facts: The Blue duiker is one of the smallest duikers in
Africa.
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