| Abbott's duiker | |
|---|---|
_-_%25D7%2590%25D7%2599%25D7%2595%25D7%25A8_%25D7%25A9%25D7%259C_%25D7%259E%25D7%25A9%25D7%25AA%25D7%259E%25D7%25A9-%25D7%259E%25D7%25A0%25D7%2597%25D7%259D.%25D7%2590%25D7%259C.png) | |
Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Family: | Bovidae |
| Genus: | Cephalophus |
| Species: | C. spadix |
| Binomial name | |
| Cephalophus spadix True, 1890 | |
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| Distribution of Abbott's duiker | |
Abbott's duiker (Cephalophus spadix), also known asminde inSwahili, is a large, forest-dwellingduiker (smallantelope) found only in a few scattered enclaves inTanzania. It may be a subspecies of theyellow-backed duiker. It is very rare, and the first photograph of an Abbott's duiker in the wild was taken as recently as 2003.
Abbott's duikers stand around 65 cm (26 in) tall at the shoulder and weigh about 55 kg (121 lb). This duiker has a glossy, dark brown coat which is lighter on the underside. The face is paler and gray in color, with a large red tuft on the forehead; the horns are thin and short (8 to 12 cm (3.1 to 4.7 in)).[citation needed] The secretive behavior of Abbott's duiker, along with its largely nocturnal habits and preference for dense vegetation, means little is known about the ecology and behavior of this species. It has been observed feeding on leaves in the forest understory, and on vegetation in forest clearings, and may feed on fruits, flowers and moss. An Abbott's duiker has also been seen with a frog in its mouth; duikers are known to occasionally capture and feed on live prey.The cryptic habits and alertness of Abbott's duiker unfortunately does not protect it entirely from predation. Young Abbott's duikers are probably preyed on byAfrican crowned eagles (Stephanoetus coronatus) andpythons (Pythonspecies), while duikers of all ages may fall victim toleopards (Panthera pardus).Lions (Panthera leo) andspotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta) may also hunt this duiker species in some areas
Abbott's duiker is endemic to Tanzania, in theEastern Arc Mountains,Mount Kilimanjaro, andSouthern Highlands in scattered populations. They live mainly in wetforests andswamps between 1,700 and 2,700 m abovesea level, but can sometimes wander to much higher elevations at 4,000 m. They eat mainlyfruit and possibly other plant matter. Abbott's duikers arenocturnal, spending the days at rest in thickets. They form regular pathways through the undergrowth, making them relatively easy to find. If threatened, they generally try to run, though they have been known to kill pursuing dogs when left with no escape route.[citation needed]
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Less than 1,500 Abbott's duiker are estimated to be left in the world, with no captive population. They are threatened byhabitat destruction andpoaching.[1]
