Kirk-Dikdik
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Kirk-Dikdik ( Madoqua kirkii ) |
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| Madoqua kirkii | ||||||||||||
| ( Günther , 1880) |
The Kirk's Dik-dik ( Madoqua kirkii falsely also Madoqua kirki ), also known as dwarf trunk , is one of the smallest antelopes of Africa . It is widespread in East Africa and one of the best-researched species within its genus.
features
The Kirk-Dikdik reaches a shoulder height of up to 40 centimeters and a weight of 5.5 kilograms. The horns reach a length of 9.5 centimeters. The Kirk-Dikdik is slightly larger than the Günther-Dikdik , which reaches a shoulder height of 35 centimeters and which has a slightly longer snout.
Food and habitat
Although it prefers rather dense vegetation with varied food plants, it can also be found in biotopes with sparse grass cover. The kirk dikdik can cope even in the barren areas of southern Africa. It mainly lives in the shrub-rich areas of central and northern Namibia , where it feeds on numerous plants in its surroundings, but only selectively selects individual parts of the plant.
Temperature balance
Kirk dikdiks are diurnal animals, but on days with very high temperatures they rest in the shade during the day and are then active at night.
To protect against heat, the dikdik cools the blood in the nasal passages. It has an elongated snout, which increases the size of the nasal cavity and moist mucous membrane. By restricting the blood supply to muscles other than those involved in breathing, dikdik can save energy while breathing, which is beneficial in high temperatures.
Social behavior
Kirk dikdiks live monogamous in fixed territories. The male is dominant and defends his territory against intruders. Once the male offspring are half-adult, their father drives them away. Soon afterwards they look for a partner, although they are not yet sexually mature, and mark their territory.
Because of their small size, Kirk dikdiks are easy prey for many predators. In the event of danger they remain motionless, the males often turning their heads to observe the situation while the female stands still. In the event of an emergency, they finally flee with hooks and look for new cover in which they wait again until the danger is over.
Danger
The population size is estimated to be at least 971,000 animals, presumably it is much larger. For this reason, the species is assessed as not endangered by the IUCN .
literature
- CA Spinage: The Natural History of Antelopes . Croom Helm, London 1986, ISBN 0-7099-4441-1
Web links
Single receipts
- ↑ Spinage, p. 194
- ↑ Spinage, p. 194
- ↑ Spinage, p. 195
- ↑ Madoqua kirkii in the Red List of Threatened Species of the IUCN 2012. Posted by: IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group, 2008. Accessed November 10, 2012th