# Red-Flanked Duiker (*cephalophus rufilatus*) The Red-Flanked Duiker is a small and shy antelope found in the forests of Africa. With its beautiful reddish-brown coat and white stripes, it blends perfectly into its leafy surroundings! - **Category:** [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/mammal) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low - **Habitat:** Tropical forests and woodland areas in Central and West Africa - **Also known as:** Bush Antelope ![Red-Flanked Duiker](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Cephalophus_rufilatus_-_Dallas_Zoo.jpg&width=800) Photo: Perry Quan, CC BY-SA 2.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Cephalophus_rufilatus_-_Dallas_Zoo.jpg) ## Appearance The Red-Flanked Duiker has striking reddish-brown flanks with a dark bluish-grey back, creating a distinctive saddle pattern. It also features a bold black stripe down its face and a black muzzle. Both males and females grow short, spiky horns. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Mammalia - **Order:** Artiodactyla - **Family:** Bovidae - **Genus:** Cephalophus ## Interesting facts - Baby duikers are called 'kids' and are born with their eyes open! - Both male and female Red-Flanked Duikers grow tiny, sharp horns! - Duikers often freeze completely still when sensing danger to blend in! - They have a special black stripe that runs from their nose to their forehead! ## Special abilities - **Quick Dive Escape:** Red-Flanked Duiker can 'dive' into thick vegetation because its small, wedge-shaped body helps it disappear instantly from predators. - **Forest Forager:** Red-Flanked Duiker has a unique ability to eat fruit fallen from trees because it follows monkeys and birds for tasty snacks. - **Secret Scent Messages:** Red-Flanked Duiker can leave scent messages for other duikers using glands below its eyes, helping it communicate. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 55-75 cm - **Weight:** 9-12 kg - **Lifespan:** 10-12 years - **Speed:** 45 km/h - **Litter Size:** 1 - **Gestation:** 120 days ## Diet & Feeding These little browsers eat fruits, leaves, and fungi found on the forest floor. - **Primary Foods:** Fruits, Leaves, Shoots, Fungi, Seeds, Flowers - **Foraging Method:** Foraging ## Ecological connections - **Eaten by:** [Leopard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/leopard) (*Panthera pardus*) — a primary predator of adult duikers. - **Eaten by:** African Golden Cat (*Caracal aurata*) — preys on smaller or younger duikers. - **Depends on:** Forest Fig (*Ficus exasperata*) — eats fallen fruits from this fig tree. - **Depends on:** Hog Plum (*Spondias mombin*) — relies on fruits and leaves from this tree. ## Traits - [Furry](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/furry): Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur. - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Herbivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/herbivorous): This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. ## Collections - [Mammals](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/mammals) ## Safety **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low No special safety notes yet. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Red-Flanked Duiker? Compare ears, muzzle, tail, feet and coat markings. Size is hard to judge without something nearby for scale, and young mammals may not have adult coloring yet. Mammal Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Red-Flanked Duiker? 55-75 cm ### How much does Red-Flanked Duiker weigh? 9-12 kg ### How long does Red-Flanked Duiker live? 10-12 years ### How fast can Red-Flanked Duiker move? 45 km/h ### What does Red-Flanked Duiker eat? These little browsers eat fruits, leaves, and fungi found on the forest floor. ### Where is Red-Flanked Duiker usually found? Tropical forests and woodland areas in Central and West Africa ### How does Red-Flanked Duiker hunt? Foraging ## More Mammals - [Eastern Fox Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-fox-squirrel) (*Sciurus niger*) - [Eastern Cottontail](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-cottontail) (*Sylvilagus floridanus*) - [Eastern Chipmunk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-chipmunk) (*Tamias striatus*) - [California Ground Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/california-ground-squirrel) (*Otospermophilus beecheyi*) --- Source: [Red-Flanked Duiker: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/red-flanked-duiker)