Dikdik Habitat

Image taken by Petr E. Komers

Kirk's Dikdik: Distributed across eastern Africa into Kenya and Tanzania and also the arid south-west
Africa. This species is the most widespread dikdik which has adapted to various habitats all over Africa (Kingdon, 1997).

Guenther's Dikdik: Endemic to northeastern Africa. Some are also found in the same locations are Kirk's dikdik (Kingdon, 1997).

This map represents the most common areas of Africa where dikdiks can be found

What Type of Habitat Do They Prefer?

Dikdiks live in wooded grasslands or bush habitats with good shade cover and low thicket vegetation. Dikdiks love to rest under small bushes during the day when temperatures are hot and dry. In dangerous conditions (usually after the dry season), these antelopes are sometimes found in open savanna where the grass is short and patchy. In Richard Estes Behavioral Field Guide, he mentions that dikdiks prefer areas overgrazed or trampled on by large herbivores because short grasses have been replaced by wooded shrubs and bushes (1991). All four species are found in areas of low rainfall
with hard, stony soils. Since these ruminants are predominantly browsers, shrubs, acacia leaves, buds, and fruits are their favorite foods. Dikdiks are water-independent mammals, so it is not critical that their habitats exist near water bodies. These antelopes can survive for months without water except for the moisture they receive from the acacia leaves they eat because their bodies have developed conservation mechanisms to prevent water loss. Instead of sweating, dikdiks pant to keep cool.