Dikdik

Dikdiks

Dikdiks are monogamous and stay together as a pair for life. The male defends the territory against conspecifics. They mark the boundaries of their territory with secretions from the pre-eye gland, which they spread on twigs or grass stems. Only the males have horns. Up to two young (singletons) are born each year, which remain in their parents' territory until the end of their first year of life. The animals are very shy and hardly recognisable in their habitat due to their small size and colouring. Dikdiks have a shoulder height of between 30 and 40 cm. The fur colouring is grey or light brown, the underside of the belly is grey or white.

Nutrition

As pure herbivores, dikdiks feed on leaves, young shoots, buds and flowers as well as herbs. They are mainly active during the day, but rest during the hot midday hours.

Distribution

Dikdiks live in dry and semi-arid shrubland and scrubland in Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti and Somalia.

Their numerous predators include hyena, leopard, caracal, serval, but also baboon, eagle and python.

The dikdik in the savannah is one of the oldest specimens in the collection. It was collected in Somalia in 1899.