Dik-dik in East Africa: Species Profile of Africa's Tiny Antelope

A dik-dik is hardly bigger than a hare on long legs. It darts into cover as soon as it senses danger, so most visitors only see one by watching shaded bushes beside the road. Once you start looking, you will find that pairs are common in suitable habitat.

This profile explains the species you may meet, how pairs live, why the nose looks the way it does and where to look.

This guide is part of our animals of Uganda and East Africa guide. When you are ready to plan, see our Uganda safari packages or the Ameera Africa Safaris Uganda tours homepage.

Identification

Dik-diks are among the smallest antelopes. They have a slim body with thin legs, large dark eyes ringed in white, and a tuft of hair on the forehead. The nose is a small, mobile snout that is more obvious in some species than others. Only the male carries horns, and they are short, sharp spikes partly hidden by the crest. Kirk's dik-dik, common in Kenya and Tanzania, is greyish-brown with a short snout. Guenther's dik-dik, found in the drier north, is paler with a longer, more flexible nose and is often described as having a trunk-like profile.

The Flexible Nose

The mobile snout of a dik-dik is more than a curiosity. Air passing through its enlarged nasal passages is cooled by evaporation before it enters the body, which helps the animal control its temperature in hot, dry country. This is one of several adaptations that let it live in very arid places. Dik-diks can also take most of the moisture they need from the leaves and fruits they eat, and so can live far from water.

Pairs and Territory

Dik-diks typically form pair bonds that can last for life, and the pair shares a small territory marked with dung heaps and with secretions from glands in front of the eyes, which are rubbed on twigs. Both animals add to the dung piles, and both defend the area against intruders. Usually a single young is born, and it hides in thick cover while the parents feed nearby. Young animals leave when they are grown and seek a territory of their own. Watching a pair feeding side by side is a good way to understand the bond.

Diet and Behaviour

Dik-diks are browsers, selecting leaves, shoots, flowers and fruits, and they use a narrow muzzle to pick the most nutritious parts. They are most active in the cooler hours and rest in shade when the heat builds. When alarmed, the female gives a repeated whistling call that sounds like zik-zik, which gave the animal its name, and both animals bolt in zigzag runs towards cover. They freeze when they think they have not been seen.

Predators and Conservation

Because they are so small, dik-diks are prey for a long list of predators, including jackals, caracals, leopards, servals, eagles and pythons. They survive by staying alert, keeping close to thick cover and relying on pairs to watch for danger. Both Kirk's and Guenther's dik-diks are still widespread, though bushmeat snaring and habitat clearance affect them in places. Read the caracal profile for one of the smaller cats that hunts them.

Where to See Dik-diks

Dry bushland reserves are best. In Kenya, Samburu, Meru, Tsavo and the Masai Mara all offer sightings, and lodge grounds often have a resident pair. In Tanzania, Tarangire and the Serengeti have Kirk's dik-dik. Uganda's drier north, around Kidepo Valley, offers the best chance of dik-diks in the country.

Photography and Related Species

Look for pairs at the edge of thickets in early morning light. A vehicle parked quietly will often let them relax and resume feeding. Aim for eye level and use a lens of at least 300 mm. Do not leave the vehicle to get closer. Compare with the larger impala and read antelopes of Africa and safari photography tips.

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Related Tours, Guides and Resources

• Ameera Africa Safaris homepage: Uganda safaris, tours and holidays
• Uganda safari packages
• Uganda travel guide
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