Small African Antelope
Several Species Of Small African Antelope
Of all the species of small African antelope, the Royal antelope will take the prize. But there are several other small species worth taking a look at. In this article, five of the smaller species will be described.
We might just as well start with a very small African antelope, the Royal antelope. When one thinks of the Eland, which weighs in at close to 1,500 pounds, and is the largest of the African antelope family, an antelope weighing 100 pounds or so would seem very small, and that is what some of the smaller species weigh. The Royal antelope however, is closer to the size of a rabbit or hare, and tips the scales at around 6 pounds (dripping wet). Of the ungulates (hoofed animals), only the mouse deer is smaller, but not by much. The Royal antelope has a sleek golden brown coat, cinnamon or russet in some cases. Its underbelly and the inner parts of its hind legs are white, as is its small, thin tail. It has a somewhat peculiar conformation, resembling a hare to some extent, in that its forelegs are shorter than its hind legs, and it will often tuck the forelegs under its body, using its powerful hindquarters to get up to a fast start when it needs to flee. Males have smooth black, conical horns which point backwards, and are normally not more than an inch or two in length.
This small African antelope is primarily a tropical rain forest dweller. Being a very shy and nocturnal species, the Royal antelope is seldom observed in the wild, and has not been well studied. When threatened, the antelope will usually crouch in undercover, and flee at the last possible moment. It is very fast, and can make its way to safety quickly though dense underbrush. Besides running low to the ground, the Royal antelope will sometimes leap to safety. Being small, it has many predators.
Better known is the dik dik, a small antelope which is about 3 times the size of the Royal antelope. The dik dik will be found in more open and arid regions than the Royal. It will seldom be seen however where cover is not available. They generally travel in pairs or groups, and get most of their moisture from vegetation, so are not dependent upon water sources, as are many other animals. They are nocturnal, and sleep during the day, so are not often observed on the wild. Eagles, jackals, and the leopard are their main predators.
Three other antelope species generally classified as small African antelopes are the Common Dukier, a secretive, solitary breed, the Klipspringer which lives in rocky areas and can leap about from rock to rock with the ease of a mountain goat, and the Steenbok, adept at hiding from predators and only fleeing as a last resort.