Abbott's Duiker
Encyclopedia
Abbott's Duiker is a large forest dwelling Duiker
(small antelope
) found only in a couple of scattered enclaves in Tanzania
. It is believed by some to be a subspecies of the Yellow-backed Duiker
. It is very rare and the first photograph was taken as recently as 2003.
, Mount Kilimanjo, and South Highlands in scattered populations. They live in mainly in wet forest
s and swamp
s at between 1,700 and 2,700 metres above sea level
, but can sometimes wander to much higher altitudes at 4,000 m. They eat mainly fruit
and possibly other plant matter. Abbott's Duiker are nocturnal, spending the days at rest in thickets. They form regular pathways through the undergrowth, making them relatively easy to find. If threatened they generally try to run, though they have been known to kill pursuing dogs when left with no escape route.
.
Duiker
A duiker is any of about 21 small to medium-sized antelope species from the subfamily Cephalophinae native to Sub-Saharan Africa.Duikers are shy and elusive creatures with a fondness for dense cover; most are forest dwellers and even the species living in more open areas are quick to disappear...
(small antelope
Antelope
Antelope is a term referring to many even-toed ungulate species indigenous to various regions in Africa and Eurasia. Antelopes comprise a miscellaneous group within the family Bovidae, encompassing those old-world species that are neither cattle, sheep, buffalo, bison, nor goats...
) found only in a couple of scattered enclaves in Tanzania
Tanzania
The United Republic of Tanzania is a country in East Africa bordered by Kenya and Uganda to the north, Rwanda, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo to the west, and Zambia, Malawi, and Mozambique to the south. The country's eastern borders lie on the Indian Ocean.Tanzania is a state...
. It is believed by some to be a subspecies of the Yellow-backed Duiker
Yellow-backed Duiker
The Yellow-backed Duiker , is an antelope found in central and western Africa. They have the widest range of any duiker in the genus Cephalophus....
. It is very rare and the first photograph was taken as recently as 2003.
Characteristics
Abbott's Duikers stand around 65 cm (25.6 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh approximately 55 kg (121.3 lb). Abbott's Duikers have a glossy, dark brown coat which is lighter on the underside. The face is paler and gray in color, and there is a large red tuft on the forehead. Abbott's Duiker have short thin horns of 8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in).Habitat
Abbott's Duiker is endemic to Tanzania, occur in the Eastern Arc MountainsEastern Arc Mountains
The Eastern Arc Mountains are a chain of mountains found in Kenya and Tanzania. It comprises:* Taita Hills* North and South Pare* East and West Usambara* North and South Nguru* Ukaguru* Uluguru Mountains* Rubeho* Udzungwa Mountains* Mahenge Escarpment...
, Mount Kilimanjo, and South Highlands in scattered populations. They live in mainly in wet forest
Forest
A forest, also referred to as a wood or the woods, is an area with a high density of trees. As with cities, depending where you are in the world, what is considered a forest may vary significantly in size and have various classification according to how and what of the forest is composed...
s and swamp
Swamp
A swamp is a wetland with some flooding of large areas of land by shallow bodies of water. A swamp generally has a large number of hammocks, or dry-land protrusions, covered by aquatic vegetation, or vegetation that tolerates periodical inundation. The two main types of swamp are "true" or swamp...
s at between 1,700 and 2,700 metres above sea level
Sea level
Mean sea level is a measure of the average height of the ocean's surface ; used as a standard in reckoning land elevation...
, but can sometimes wander to much higher altitudes at 4,000 m. They eat mainly fruit
Fruit
In broad terms, a fruit is a structure of a plant that contains its seeds.The term has different meanings dependent on context. In non-technical usage, such as food preparation, fruit normally means the fleshy seed-associated structures of certain plants that are sweet and edible in the raw state,...
and possibly other plant matter. Abbott's Duiker are nocturnal, spending the days at rest in thickets. They form regular pathways through the undergrowth, making them relatively easy to find. If threatened they generally try to run, though they have been known to kill pursuing dogs when left with no escape route.
Status
There are estimated to be less than 1,500 Abbott's Duiker left in the world, and there is no captive population. They are threatened by habitat destruction and huntingHunting
Hunting is the practice of pursuing any living thing, usually wildlife, for food, recreation, or trade. In present-day use, the term refers to lawful hunting, as distinguished from poaching, which is the killing, trapping or capture of the hunted species contrary to applicable law...
.
External links
- Abbott's Duiker (Cephalophus spadix) at ARKive
- Abbott's Duiker (Cephalophus spadix) at ultimateungulate