These shrubbery antelopes are the smallest in the world. The dwarf antelope weighs like a brown hare, only 2-3 kilograms, and its dimensions are the same. The height of this microantilope does not exceed 30-35 centimeters.
Despite its toy appearance, the dwarf antelope is very collected, armed with sharp horns and can easily repulse even the largest predator.
Of course, she will not be able to cope with the leopard, but here the jackals, it happened, drove away.
Another feature of these kids is their amazing agility when moving. The recorded speed of their movement reached 42 kilometers per hour.
Of course, at this pace, the dwarf antelope, another name - dikdik, can’t run for a long time, but it is the first in short dints. But still, the main way to avoid the hostile takeover of the antelope is not to counterattack and not to compete in speed, but to capitalize on their own miniature.
The territory where the dwarf antelope lives, as a rule, is penetrated by multiple tunnels of pipes made by it in thickets of thorny bushes.
Hence the name - shrubby antelope.
In these holes only dikdi can fit, but not animals larger. So while in Africa there are thickets of thorny bushes, the antelope is invincible.
In general, dikdik are animals of a very respectable age. The fossilized remains found in Africa date back to 4-5 million years.
Dikdiqs are monogamous, as a rule, each male has only one spouse, to whom he remains faithful for many years.
The family occupies a certain territory of the bush - this is their food zone.
When meeting with neighbors at the border, antelopes hoarsely whistle and brag about their beautiful horns, as if showing their superiority. But the matter does not reach conflicts.
When approaching hyenas or other predatory animals, the male gives the family conditional signals that resemble a whistle. As soon as they are heard, the female and the children hide in the thicket of the bush or in the catacombs in their area. And as soon as danger passes, the family reunites again.
The dwarf antelope has one unique feature - wherever it is in the territory, it will go to the toilet to the same place.
In the old days, dikdiks were exterminated for gloves, but now the hunt for them is strictly licensed.
The largest dwarf antelope is called oribi. It can grow to the size of an adult gazelle, but in appearance it will remain fragile and tender.
Unlike dikdik, oribi prefer a more even, no hills territory.
The weight of these large dwarf antelopes is up to 20 kilograms, and the body length can reach one meter. Males differ from females in the presence of beautiful thin horns. Females do not have horns.
Also, large dwarf antelopes differ from the smallest in that several females fall on one male, and they all live together.
Oribi live in savannahs and steppes, hide from enemies in tall grass. They feed on grass and leaves. Oribi breed regardless of weather and season. Also, these miniature beautiful animals build themselves ground nests from branches.
