Species Overview

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Mammalia

Order: Artiodactyla

Family: Bovidae

Genus: Sylvicapra (Common Duiker)

Species: Sylvicapra grimmia

Life Span: 10–12 years (in the wild)

Weight: 12–30 kg (26–66 lbs)

Height: 45–75 cm (18–30 inches) at the shoulder

Animal Behavior and Habits

Activity: Primarily nocturnal but can be active during the day, especially in cooler weather.

Feeding Habits: Herbivores – feed on leaves, fruits, grass, and shrubs.

Social Structure: Typically solitary, but sometimes found in small family groups.

Hunting Approach: Stealthy approach; stalk along forest edges or thick bush, often using cover.

Habitat and Environment

Preferred Habitat: Forests, bushlands, and dense thickets.

Water Sources: Found near rivers, streams, or waterholes.

Best Hunting Locations: Thick cover, forest edges, or areas with dense vegetation.

Tracks and Trails: Small, cloven hoof tracks, often in dense bush or undergrowth.

Signs: Look for disturbed vegetation, droppings, or tracks near dense cover.

Hunting Time

Ideal Hunting Times: Dawn and dusk, but primarily nocturnal.

Rainy Season: More active during the rainy season with abundant food and cover.

Breeding Season: Breeding can occur year-round, but more active during the wet months.

Use of Scent Lures: Rarely needed but may help during rutting season or when males are more territorial.