Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)

Ligit-backed 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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Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)

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Cephalophus silvicultor
Cephalophus silvicultor
Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)
Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)
Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)

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Overview

Biology

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ARKive external link
Copyright
Copyright Wildscreen 2003-2008. Some rights reserved external link
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Duikers have a secretive nature, and this, combined with its dense, fairly inaccessible habitat, means that little is known about the behaviour of the yellow-backed duiker (4). It is thought to be mainly solitary, living in spaced out territories, but it is not clear whether monogamous pairs share a territory or not (2) (4). With a tendency to spend the day in dense forest, often resting under a fallen tree or amongst thick vegetation, only under the protection of darkness does the yellow-backed duiker venture out into more open areas (4). If the yellow-backed duiker does come across any danger, such as a predator, it will freeze immediately and the hairs in the yellow patch may erect; possibly as a clear, visual, alarm signal to other yellow-backed duikers (4). The yellow-backed duiker feeds on a wide range of vegetation, including fruits, leaves, shoots, seeds, bark and buds, and it may also occasionally eat carrion; in captivity a yellow-backed duiker was observed capturing, killing and eating a pigeon (4). Yellow-backed duikers are believed to give birth to one calf a year after a gestation period of 151 days. The newborn lies up in vegetation for a week or so, but begins eating solid food very quickly (2), and is fully weaned by four to six weeks of age. The horns and characteristic yellow rump are not apparent at birth, but develop over the next nine to ten months (4).
"Cephalophus silvicultor (Afzelius, 1815)". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/328708". Accessed 20 Mar 2010.