Location: West, Central, East, and Southern Africa
Species: Common Duiker, (Sylvicapra grimmia)
Added: 2025-12-13
Published: 2018-1-19
Source: Animal Square

The Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), also known as the grey or bush duiker, is one of Africa’s most widespread and adaptable antelopes. Found across much of sub-Saharan Africa, it thrives in savannas, hillsides, bushland and even on the fringes of human settlements, wherever there is enough cover to hide.
This small antelope stands around 50 cm tall and typically weighs between 12 and 25 kg, with fe-males usually larger than males. Its appearance varies greatly across its range, from rich chestnut tones in forested regions to grey or light brown coats in drier savannas. Only males carry short, straight horns.
Common duikers are opportunistic feeders with a remarkably broad diet. Alongside leaves, flowers, fruits and tubers, they will also eat insects, frogs, small birds, mammals and even carrion. They ob-tain most of their moisture from food and can go long periods without drinking, especially during the rainy season when fruit provides sufficient fluids.
Active both day and night, duikers tend to become more nocturnal near human activity. Males are terri-torial, marking rocks and branches with scent glands and often resting on elevated ground to watch over their territory, while females prefer dense cover. Their flexibility in diet, behaviour and habitat choice has made the common duiker one of Africa’s most successful antelope species.