NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



during the day in a cosy lair in the midst of a mass 

 of dense, tangled, or creeper-covered scrub, and 

 when startled, makes rapid rushes through the 

 bush, meanwhile emitting a peculiar snifHing sound. 

 Its cry, which is not often uttered, is a sharp 

 whistle, but when caught by dogs or wounded 

 and overtaken, its cry of terror is deep and rough, 

 quite unlike the shrill, terrified scream of the Cape 

 Duiker. 



The Red Duiker produces one lamb at a birth, 

 which is lighter in colour than the adult ; on rare 

 occasions twins are born. 



The young are born principally during the early 

 summer, viz. October and November. 



The chief enemy of this Duiker is the Python Snake, 

 which levies a heavy toll upon it. The Python lies 

 in ambush for it along a branch overhanging one 

 of its beaten tracks through the forest, or hidden 

 in the scrub on the ground. This crafty snake 

 often submerges itself in the water at one of the 

 favourite drinking places of this handsome little 

 antelope, its nostrils alone being above water. When 

 the unsuspecting buck is drinking, the snake seizes 

 its nose or one of its fore-legs with its jaws, which 

 are armed with sharp re-curved teeth, and with 

 lightning rapidity its coils are around its victim. 

 The Leopard, Serval and Ratel also prey upon this 

 antelope. Eagles occasionally succeed in pouncing 

 upon them in the early mornings. 



The Red Duiker thrives in captivity, and is exceed- 



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