A small, shy antelope found throughout sub-Saharan Africa, making it one of the continent’s most widespread and adaptable antelope species. Also known as the grey duiker, this species is a master of stealth and survival, preferring to slip through the shadows of grasslands, savannas, forests, and even mountainous regions rather than run in herds like many larger antelope. Despite being relatively inconspicuous, the common duiker is an incredibly resilient and resourceful animal.
Their coat color can vary greatly depending on where they live—ranging from reddish-brown to gray or tawny—which helps them blend into their surroundings. They have a short, upright crest of hair between their small horns (which are usually only present in males), and a white underside and facial markings. Their big, dark eyes and mobile ears give them a constantly alert expression.
Unlike many antelope species, the common duiker is mostly solitary, although pairs may sometimes be seen together. They are crepuscular and nocturnal, meaning they are most active during dawn, dusk, and nighttime, when the temperatures are cooler and predators are harder to spot. Their name comes from the Afrikaans word duik, meaning “to dive,” describing their habit of diving into thick underbrush when startled.
Common duikers are browsers, feeding on a wide variety of leaves, fruits, flowers, seeds, and even fungi, but they’re also known to eat insects, birds’ eggs, and small vertebrates—an unusual behavior for an antelope. This opportunistic diet allows them to survive in areas where grasses may be scarce, especially during dry seasons. Their flexible diet and ability to get moisture from food mean they don’t always need to drink water directly.
Distribution
Angola
Benin
Botswana
Burkina Faso
Burundi
Cameroon
Central Af. Rep.
Chad
Congo-Brazzaville
Côte D’ivoire
DR Congo (Kinshasa)
Djibouti
Eritrea
Eswatini
Ethiopia
Gabon
Gambia
Ghana
Guinea-Bissau
Guinea
Kenya
Lesotho
Malawi
Mali
Mozambique
Namibia
Niger
Nigeria
Rwanda
Senegal
Somalia
South Africa
South Sudan
Sudan
Tanzania
Togo
Uganda
Zambia
ZimbabweAnything we've missed?
Help us improve this page by suggesting edits. Glory never dies!
Suggest an editGet to know me
Terrestrial / Aquatic
Altricial / Precocial
Polygamous / Monogamous
Dimorphic (size) Monomorphic
Active: Diurnal / Nocturnal
Social behavior: Solitary / Pack / Herd
Diet: Carnivore / Herbivore / Omnivore / Piscivorous / Insectivore
Migratory: Yes / No
Domesticated: Yes / No
Dangerous: Yes / No
