Cephalophus dorsalis Gray, 1846

Bay Duiker

Species recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) external link Showing: scientific names

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Overview

Biology

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Bay duikers are nocturnal animals (6) that shelter during the day in dense vegetation, in hollow trees or under fallen trunks (2), which makes them a difficult animal to study (4). They are known to primarily eat fruit (7), such as wild mango and African fruitbread (2), and thus are likely to play an important role as seed dispersers in the forest environment (8). Bay duikers also browse frequently on leaves (7), and surprisingly, this timid antelope is also known to occasionally stalk, kill and eat birds (2). Duikers, as well as avoiding humans, do not even generally associate with each other. They live at very low densities (2), and usually occur alone, although sometimes they are seen in pairs (4), and are thought to be monogamous (4). The female gives birth to only a single calf, which hides among vegetation for the first few weeks, and spends very little time with the mother (4). The calf is weaned by five months of age, reaches sexual maturity around a year old, and has a lifespan of 10 to 12 years (9).
"Cephalophus dorsalis Gray, 1846". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328703". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.