Bay Duiker Hunting African Safaris

Bay Duiker

(Cephalophus dorsalis)

Current all time records
SCI: Score 17 3/16
Rowland Ward: Score 4 7/8 - Yokadouma, Cameroon - 1996

Description: The general colour of the coarse coat is a reddish brown, with the lower legs darkening to black. There is a characteristic black dorsal band running along the spine from the head to the tail and fanning out over the hindquarters, averaging 5-7 cm / 2-3 inches in width. Young are born a uniform chocolate-brown colour, with their dark stripe becoming apparent at about four months of age. Adult coloration is reached at about one year. The dorsal surface of the tail is the same black coloration as the back, while the bushy underside is white. The head is tapered, with strong cheek muscles, large facial glands, and white lips and lower chin. The smooth, wedge-shaped horns are found in both sexes, and are nearly straight, angling back from the forehead in a parallel fashion. Relatively long compared to other duikers, the horns grow 5.5-10.5 cm / 2.2-4.2 inches long.

Other Common Names:

Size:

Range: Sierra Leone to Togo and central Africa; primarily January - May but also August - October.

Natural History: The Bay Duiker is strictly nocturnal. Shelter is sought out during the day, and is most often found in hollow trees, among buttress roots, or in dense thickets. Regularly used paths provide an ease of movement through the forest, and are often through such thick vegetation that they resemble tunnels more than trails. Individuals have been seen stalking, killing, and eating small creatures (especially birds), but nevertheless plant material is the main dietary component. Population densities are very low, with 12-20 hectares of habitat providing residence for only 2-3 individuals.

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