Red-flanked duiker

Rotflankenducker ( Cephalophus rufilatus )

The Rotflanken or blue -backed duiker ( Cephalophus rufilatus ) is a small antelope found in West and Central Africa, from Gambia to Cameroon, the Central African Republic, in the north of the Democratic Republic of Congo and in northwestern Uganda. There are two subspecies, C. r. rufilatus west of the Chari and C. r. rubidor, which occurs east of the Shari.

Features

The Rotflankenducker reaches a head -body length of 60 to 70 cm, a height at the withers from 30 to 38 cm and a weight of 9.1 to 12 kg. His cock is 7.1 to 10 cm long, the horns of the males 6 to 9.5 cm, the females only 3-4 cm long. Its coat is reddish brown or reddish yellow. A strip of the nose to the forehead, a dorsal stripe on the center back and the legs are blue-gray, brown -gray or gray colored. Chin, throat, upper lip and shoulders are white, the head of hair on the forehead and the tail are black. The tail is slightly bushy. The horns of the males are slender and almost straight, bent at the tip only slightly upwards, ribbed round and in cross-section at the base. The head of hair on the forehead may extend beyond the horns. Inguinal glands are present. The fawns show the same coloration as the adults.

Way of life

The Rotflankenducker living in the peripheral areas of large forest areas, glades and in gallery forests, but not in the interior of large forests. It feeds on fruits, leaves and flowers, especially of flussnah growing trees, shrubs and herbs.

Endangering

The population size of Roftlankenduckers is estimated at about 170 000 individuals, the species is classified as not threatened by the IUCN. Nevertheless, taking the population by hunting and habitat loss from.