Social Systems of the Dikdik
Madoqua kirkii
This webpage was created by Yolanda Machelle Borders for an Animal Behavior class at Davidson College.

This image was taken by Petr E. Komers, a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Uppsala

What is the dikdik?

The dikdik is the smallest Class A antelope belonging to the family Bovidae, the order Artiodactyla, and the genus Madoqua. Four known species are found in Eastern and Southwestern Africa: the saltiana (Salt's dikdik), piacentinii (Piacentini's dikdik), guentheri (Guenther's dikdik), and the most common, kirkii (kirk's dikdik). Dikdiks are very unique creatures with pointed, mobile snouts, large ears, round eyes, long hindlegs, and short undeveloped tails. The elongated nose is essential for nasal panting (often called breathing), which helps the animal survive harsh, dry temperatures and prevent water loss (Moss,1975). All dikdiks have large preorbital glands right below the inside corner of the eye which secrete dark sticky substances used to mark territory boundaries. According to Cynthia Moss, the dikdik also has interdigital glands that are also used for scent marking. Mature dikdiks reach a height of thirty-five to forty-three centimeters. Most females are slightly heavier than males weighing about ten pounds (five kilograms) as adults. A male's average weight is four kilograms. Their bodies are approximately fifty-five to seventy-seven cm. long with a tail length of four to six centimeters. Only male dikdiks have tiny, sharp horns.

Although the dikdik is one of the most beautiful animals to see in Africa, it is very difficult to spot one. They dart in and out of bushes really fast, and do not enjoy human company very much!

If you would like to learn more about the life of the dikdik, just click on the appropriate headings. HABITAT PATTERNS OF SOCIAL ORGANIZATION AND SOCIAL SPACING MATING SYSTEM AND PARENTAL CARE SUMMARY WORKS CITED

Courtesy of Brent Huffman

Please send all comments, questions, and suggestions to vecase@davidson.edu.