Kirk's' Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) Pretending to be a Gerenuk
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
Click on image twice for best view of the dik-dik.
Kirk's Dik-Dik, a very small antelope, is standing in the shadow of a large bush.
Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope. It is believed to have six subspecies and possibly a seventh existing in southwest Africa. Dik-diks are herbivores, typically of a fawn color that aids in camouflaging themselves in savannah habitats. According to MacDonald (1985), they are also capable of reaching speeds of up to 42 kilometers per hour.
The lifespan of Kirk’s dik-dik in the wild is typically 5 years, but may surpass 10 years. In captivity males have been known to live up to 16.5 years, while females have lived up to 18.4 years.
Dik-diks are susceptible to a myriad of predators including eagles, cats, jackals, caracals, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, cape hunting dogs, honey badgers, crocodiles, pythons, lions, and humans. Young dik-diks are particularly preyed upon by baboons, genets, and eagles.
Dik-diks have a fine-tuned sense of hearing, sight, and smell. When they feel in danger or hear the alarm calls of other animals they hide, rather than fleeing. It is only when frightened or disturbed that they emit their iconic “zik-zik” alarm. Wikipedia
Kirk's' Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) Pretending to be a Gerenuk
Lewa Wildlife Conservancy
Kenya
East Africa
Click on image twice for best view of the dik-dik.
Kirk's Dik-Dik, a very small antelope, is standing in the shadow of a large bush.
Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small antelope native to Eastern Africa and one of four species of dik-dik antelope. It is believed to have six subspecies and possibly a seventh existing in southwest Africa. Dik-diks are herbivores, typically of a fawn color that aids in camouflaging themselves in savannah habitats. According to MacDonald (1985), they are also capable of reaching speeds of up to 42 kilometers per hour.
The lifespan of Kirk’s dik-dik in the wild is typically 5 years, but may surpass 10 years. In captivity males have been known to live up to 16.5 years, while females have lived up to 18.4 years.
Dik-diks are susceptible to a myriad of predators including eagles, cats, jackals, caracals, leopards, hyenas, cheetahs, cape hunting dogs, honey badgers, crocodiles, pythons, lions, and humans. Young dik-diks are particularly preyed upon by baboons, genets, and eagles.
Dik-diks have a fine-tuned sense of hearing, sight, and smell. When they feel in danger or hear the alarm calls of other animals they hide, rather than fleeing. It is only when frightened or disturbed that they emit their iconic “zik-zik” alarm. Wikipedia