Eritrea Dikdik
| Eritrea Dikdik | ||||||||||||
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_Madoqua_saltiana.png)
Eritrea dikdik ( Madoqua saltiana ) |
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| Madoqua saltiana | ||||||||||||
| ( de Blainville , 1816) |
The Eritrea-Dik or greyhound antelope ( Madoqua saltiana ) is a kind from the family of Bovidae .
description
The Eritrean Dikdik is between 52 and 67 centimeters long and reaches a shoulder height of 33 to 40 centimeters. The tail is between 3.5 and 5.5 centimeters long. It weighs 2 to 6 kilograms. The velvety soft fur has a reddish-brown to yellowish-brown color on the back, depending on the subspecies and habitat, which noticeably brightens towards the flanks. The neck is reddish gray and the legs are colored rusty red on the outside. Large parts of the back of the head, especially the cheek area, but also the neck and the sides of the neck are grayish in color. The tail is extremely short and ends in an inconspicuous tassel. Males are larger and stronger than the females. The male also has small horns in the forehead area. The horns are straight or slightly curved. They are clearly visible on the front. Small tufts of hair can be seen at the roots of the horns. The females have four teats on their belly, which are used to suckle the young. The species has relatively large, black-colored eyes that lie on the sides of the head.
distribution
The Eritrean Dikdik is widespread in eastern Africa , especially in Djibouti , Eritrea , Somalia , in north-eastern Sudan and in northern Ethiopia . Smaller populations are also said to be found in Kenya . The animals mainly inhabit dry regions with rich bush vegetation. They can be found from the plain up to a height of 2,500 meters. Bush savannahs, grassland interspersed with bushes, and forests with dense ground vegetation are preferred as habitats.
Way of life
Eritrean Dikdiks are extremely social and live in small, monogamous family groups consisting of a couple and their offspring. The offspring remain in the family group until the mother is next pregnant. There are also seldom loners. The species is quite territorial and marks its territory with feces and urine as well as with a secretion from glands in the head area. The sense of smell guides the animals safely through their territories. Both sexes take part in marking the territory. When in danger, the animals emit whistling noises, which can also be seen as threatening gestures. Only the male chases after an intruder. The small horns can also be used as weapons. Fights among rival males are mostly symbolic and injuries are rare. Eritrean dikdiks are usually secretive and hide in dense vegetation. They are crepuscular and nocturnal, with the most active phases in the early morning and late evening hours. Orientation takes place through highly developed senses. These are above all the sense of smell as well as hearing and sight.
nutrition
The Eritrean Dikdik is a pure herbivore. It feeds on leaves, young shoots, buds, blossoms, flowers, as well as grasses, herbs and fruits. The green parts of the acacia ( Acacia ) are especially readily eaten. The foraging for food takes place mainly in the early morning and late evening hours. The drinking water requirement is largely covered by food.
Reproduction
The female becomes sexually mature at 6 to 8 months, the male only at 8 to 9 months. The sexes lead a monogamous marriage that often lasts a lifetime. The mating season extends over the whole year. The majority of births, however, occur in the beginning of the rainy season. After a gestation period of 170 to 180 days, the female gives birth to young animals, rarely two. The birth weight is between 500 and 800 grams. The afterbirth is eaten by the mother to remove any tell-tale smells. In the first 3 weeks, the young animal remains hidden in the tall grass or dense vegetation and the mother only comes by to suckle, but always stays nearby. Later, the offspring follow their parents. From the second month of life, the male's horns begin to grow, which can only be seen much later, as the horns are hidden under the head of hair. The suckling period extends over 3 to 4 months. From the second week of life, the young animal consumes additional food. After 7 to 8 weeks, the young animal is the same size as its parents. At the latest after the end of their first year of life, the young animals leave their parents and become independent. Life expectancy is 3 to 4 years.
Danger
The species is listed as "Least Concern" on the IUCN Red List .
swell
- David Macdonald, The Great Encyclopedia of Mammals , Ullmann / Tandem
- Hans Petzsch , Urania Tierreich, 7 vols., Mammals , Urania, Stuttgart 1992
- Dorling Kindersley Mammals. 700 species in their habitats , 2004