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 up to 42 km/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.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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HerbivoreA herbivore is an animal anatomically and physiologically adapted to eating plant material, for example, foliage, for the main component of its die...
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FolivoreIn zoology, a folivore is a herbivore that specializes in eating leaves. Mature leaves contain a high proportion of hard-to-digest cellulose, less ...
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FrugivoreA frugivore is an animal that thrives mostly on raw fruits or succulent fruit-like produce of plants such as roots, shoots, nuts, and seeds. Approx...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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CursorialA cursorial organism is one that is adapted specifically to run. An animal can be considered cursorial if it has the ability to run fast (e.g. chee...
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GrazingGrazing is a method of feeding in which a herbivore feeds on plants such as grasses, or other multicellular organisms such as algae. In agriculture...
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BrowsingBrowsing is a type of herbivory in which an herbivore (or, more narrowly defined, a folivore) feeds on leaves, soft shoots, or fruits of high-growi...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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ViviparousAmong animals, viviparity is the development of the embryo inside the body of the parent. The term 'viviparity' and its adjective form 'viviparous'...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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MonogamyMonogamy is a form of relationship in which both the male and the female has only one partner. This pair may cohabitate in an area or territory for...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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starts withKirk's dik-diks are one of the world's smallest antelopes that are native to Eastern Africa. These dainty creatures have a pointed snout, large eyes and ears, prominent preorbital glands, pipestem legs, and a vestigial tail. Their hare-like hind limbs are larger than their forelimbs. Their coats, depending upon their habitat, range from grey to gray-brown with tan flanks, limbs. They also have an erectile head crest and whitish eye rings, ear lining, underparts, and rump. Only males have horns, which may be straight or curved backwards, and the basal half of the horns have 7 to 9 annular ridges that are frequently covered by the crest. Females in this species are larger and lack horns, while males sport a more developed muzzle, have a longer crest, and tend to be lighter in color.
Kirk's dik-diks are found in eastern and southwestern Africa. In eastern Africa, they range from southern Somalia to central Tanzania and in southwestern Africa from northern Namibia and adjoining parts of south-western Angola. These antelopes inhabit savanna areas and prefer habitats with good cover but lacking tall vegetation. Ideal habitats contain a variety of browse, extensive shade, and an open understory at their eye level. As a result, they move to different ranges when grass grows too high and obstructs their view.
Kirk's dik-diks are social creatures and live in pairs. In good conditions, a pair may reside within the same territory for life. Males are the main defenders of territories, as females are unable to maintain territories themselves. Both the male and female mark their territory with secretions from preorbital scent glands that are located beneath their eyes and with dung deposits. Dik-diks are nocturnal, and during the daytime seek shade to rest during the hottest parts of the day to help avoid the loss of valuable fluids. Dik-diks have excellent senses of hearing, sight, and smell. When they feel in danger or hear the alarm calls of other animals, they prefer to hide, rather than flee. The name of these antelopes is derived from their call. When they feel threatened, dik-diks lie low to prevent detection. If they are discovered, they run in a swift, zigzag-like pattern until they reach refuge in a nearby thicket. During this ‘flight’, they emit trumpet-like "zik-zik" or "dik-dik" calls to raise an alarm or to harass predators and publicize the presence of a mated pair.
Kirk's dik-diks are herbivorous (folivorous), frugivorous) animals. Their diets consist mainly of foliage, fruits, shoots, and berries. Due to their adaptations, dik-diks can stay without water for long periods of time; they rely on vegetation as a source of water.
Kirk's dik-diks are monogamous and pairs mate for life. Breeding can take place twice per year. Females give birth to one calf after the gestation period of 5-6 months. Most births occur between November and December and April through May. Dik-diks differ from other ruminants in that calves are born with their forelegs along the body, rather than extended forward. After birth, the calf lies concealed away from its mother for 2 to 3 weeks. The mother will nurse her offspring within 6 weeks. At around 7 months after birth, when another calf is born the parents chase the older sibling out of their territory. It's the time when the older calf must seek out its own territory and mate. Females reach reproductive maturity between 6 and 8 months of age, while males become reproductively mature between 8 and 9 months of age.
There are no major threats to Kirk's dik-diks at present. However, These antelopes are sometimes hunted for their hides and bones, often using snares. The bones from their legs and feet are used in traditional jewelry, while their hides are fashioned into suede gloves.
According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of Kirk's dik-diks is around 971,000 individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.
Social animals are those animals that interact highly with other animals, usually of their own species (conspecifics), to the point of having a rec...