Mammals · Artiodactyla · Bovidae

Blue Duiker

Philantomba monticola

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

The blue duiker is the smallest of the duikers and one of the tiniest antelopes in Africa, with a slate-grey coat that takes on a bluish cast in the filtered light of the forest. It lives in monogamous pairs that defend a territory marked with secretions from the preorbital glands. It feeds mainly on leaves and fallen fruit, and follows monkey troops through the forest to take what they drop from the canopy.

Weight

3.5 kg – 9 kg

Size

55 cm – 75 cm

Lifespan

12 years

Diet

Herbivore

Feeds mainly on plants.

Activity

Diurnal

Active mainly during the day.

Social structure

In pairs

Usually lives in pairs, sometimes for life.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

RainforestHerbivore Diurnal In pairs Rainforest Mammal

27countries 7parks86same family

Fun facts

It follows monkey troops through the understorey to eat the fruit they drop from the canopy, a strategy that gives it access to food it could not reach on its own.
It marks its territory by rubbing its face against branches and trunks: in front of each eye it has a well-developed preorbital gland that leaves a lasting scent trail.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (mammal)
Habitat & environment: Dense understorey of rainforest, coastal forest and gallery forest in sub-Saharan Africa
Sexual maturity: 16 months
Gestation / incubation: 6.3 months
Litter / clutch size: 1

Sources consulted: https://es.wikipedia.org/wiki/Philantomba_monticola