Yellow-backed duiker

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

 

Facts about this animal

The Yellow-backed Duiker is the largest duiker with a massive body and slender legs. It possesses a characteristic triangular yellow central patch on the back. Head-body length ranges from 115 to 145 cm, the shoulder height from 65 to 84 cm, the body-weight is 45-80 kg. The tail is short, about 11-20 cm, and thin, with a small black tuft.

The eyes and ears are small. The suborbital glands below the eyes are very conspicuous. The muzzle is light grey in colour, and the lips are white. Both sexes have faintly ridged, wedge-shaped horns which grow 8.5-21 cm long and curve down slightly at the tips.

The coat is short and glossy, dark velvety brown to black in colour. The sides of the face are very light greyish. The yellow hairs on the back are erectile.

Yellow-backed duikers live solitary or in pairs. They are generally nocturnal, resting during the day in "forms" - regularly used beds found under fallen tree trunks, in root forms at the bases of trees, and in dense tangles, or on top of termite mounds. They are territorial, marking their territories with their maxillary glands.

Females become sexually mature at an age of 9-12 months, males at 12-18 months. After a gestation period of 7 months one single calf is born, rarely twins. , The newborns lie hidden for over a week, after which they begin to venture out. They are weaned by 5 months of age.

Yellow-backed duikers are predominantly browsers feeding on leaves, berries, fruit, seeds, fungi, and grasses. On occasion they may eat also animal protein, such as insects, lizards, birds and rodents.

 

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 73 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

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Photo Copyright by
Alex Sliwa