The Kirk’s Dik-Dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a small mammal in the Bovidae family of antelopes from East Africa.
It lives in pairs, mating for life. The female is pregnant for 5-6 months, and may have one or two babies per year. The mother hides her young in long grass to avoid predators, such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, eagles, hyenas, crocodiles, baboons, and jackals.
The young will stay with its parents until another baby is born. The parents chase the young away and it looks for its own territory. When it finds a mate, it leaves its parents permanently.
The photographed juvenile was born on 4 August 2020, so it is six weeks old.
The Kirk’s Dik-Dik is fawn coloured with dainty features, such as thin legs, large ears, and large eyes with white eye-rings. It has a long nose. Only male Dik-Diks have horns. The horns are about 8 centimetres (3 inches) long and backward slanted.
It grows to about 35-46 centimetres (14-18) inches tall.
The Kirk’s Dik-Dik is nocturnal and likes savannahs and dry areas, where it can hide in bushes. It is a shy animal.
The lifespan of a Kirk’s Dik-Dik is about 5 years.
Location of photographs: Paris Zoo, France
Photographer: Martina Nicolls
Martina Nicolls: SIMILAR BUT DIFFERENT IN THE ANIMAL KINGDOM