Page 106 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - South Africa

104  WILD SOUTH AFRIC A

Springbok Suni Common Duiker
Species: Antidorcas marsupialis Species: Neotragus moschatus • Best Species: Sylvicapra grimmia
• Best Seen: Kgalagadi, Augrabies Seen: Phinda, iSimangaliso, Ndumo • Best Seen: Kruger, Pilanesberg,
Falls, Goegap LC uKhahlamba-Drakensberg
LC LC
The suni is a small antelope that
South Africa’s national animal, lives in coastal forests and The least typical but most
the springbok is the only gazelle thickets whose posture, widespread and conspicuous
(that is, antelope of the genus coloration and habits make it of Africa’s 18 duiker species, the
Gazella or related genera) that is easy to confuse with a duiker. It common or grey duiker is a
found south of the Zambezi. It has a more freckled coat than variably coloured resident
strongly resembles the East any duiker, however, and on of wooded savannah habitats
African “Tommy” (Thomson’s close inspection it can also be that may be seen almost
gazelle), with fawn upperparts dis tinguished by its backward- any where in South Africa,
and creamy belly separated by sweeping horns (only the rams apart from in forest interiors.
a black side-stripe. Despite its grow horns), large, rounded Most often seen in pairs, it could
iconic status, it is far rarer than and almost rabbit-like ears, be confused with steenbok, but
it was in the 18th century; pronounced facial glands, and it is generally greyer. The duiker
today it is largely confined to its habit of flicking its black-and- has a unique identifier in the
the extreme northwest of white tail from side to side, form of a black tuft of hair that
the country. rather than up and down. divides its horns.

Blue Duiker Natal Red Duiker Klipspringer
Species: Philantomba Species: Cephalophus natalensis Species: Oreotragus oreotragus • Best
monticola • Best Seen: Eshowe, • Best Seen: Hluhluwe-Imfolozi, Seen: Mapungubwe, uKhahlamba-
Phinda, iSimangaliso Phinda, iSimangaliso Drakensberg, Augrabies Falls
LC VU LC
A widespread but shy resident The 46-cm (18-inch) tall A relict of an ancient antelope
of coastal forests, the blue Natal red duiker is among the lineage, the klipspringer
duiker is the smallest South South African representatives (Africaans for “rock jumper”)
African antelope, with a height of a cluster of red duiker boasts several unusual
of about 35 cm (14 inches) and species, most of which are adaptations to its mountain ous
a weight of 5 kg (11 lb). It is one deep chestnut in colour with habitat. Binocular vision
of a group of hunchbacked a white tail and black snout enables it to gauge jumping
forest-dwellers that rank as patch. A specialized forest- distances accurately, it has a
perhaps the most elusive and dweller confined to the eastern unique ability to walk on its
least well under stood of East coastal littoral, it is liable to be hoof tips, and its hollow fur
African antelope. Seldom seen, confused only with the blue insulates at high altitude. Pairs
it can be distin guished by its duiker or the suni, but it is more bond for life, and both sexes
white under-tail, which it flicks widespread than either and, have a grizzled grey-brown
regularly. Both sexes have when seen clearly, its rich coat, short, forward-curving
short sharp horns. coloration distinguishes it. horns and an arched back.
IUCN status VU: Vulnerable; LC: Least Concern

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