NATURAL HISTORY OF SOUTH AFRICA 



of the low flats between the coast and the Bombo 

 range in north-eastern Zululand. 



THE DAMARALAND DIK-DIK 



(Madaqua damarensis) 



THE Damaraland Dik-dik inhabits the rocky barren 

 hills and the partially bushed country on the west 

 side of Africa near the coast from Omaruru, which is 

 about forty miles north of Walfisch Bay, to the 

 southern portion of Angola. 



Although there are about a dozen species of Dik- 

 diks inhabiting Africa, the Damaraland Dik-dik is 

 the only species found in South Africa. 



Dik-diks are very small antelopes of about the 

 size of a hare, and are of delicate and slender build. 

 They are all remarkable for their curious, prehensile 

 or trunk-like noses. 



The Damaraland Dik-dik is slightly larger than 

 the other species of Dik-diks. It averages 14 to 

 15 inches in height at the shoulder, and is rufous-fawn 

 or speckled dark grey on the back ; the speckled 

 appearance being due to the hairs being pale for 

 the greater part of their length, with black sub- 

 terminal and pale tawny bands at the tips. The 

 hairs covering the shoulders, sides, neck, face and 

 flanks are minus the black bands, and are not 

 speckled in consequence, but present a pale rufous 

 appearance. 



