The gray duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia), also known as the common or bush duiker, is one of the smallest of the duiker family. They are found in most countries south of the Sahara, apart from countries situated in the Horn of Africa. They also do not inhabit the rainforests of central and western Africa.

A specialist Africa plains game hunting target, the gray duiker is a member of the Tiny Ten, which is a small group of antelope found and hunted in Africa. It has a keen sense of smell, excellent eyesight and is fast to react to any perceived danger. Males measure only 20 in at the shoulder and weigh 26-55 lb, making it a small, fast-moving target for hunters targeting these pigmy antelopes. You are going to have to work hard to add a gray duiker to your hunting safari trophy case!

They are solitary animals, coming together only to mate. Females give birth to one lamb, after a gestation period of roughly 6 months. Lambs can be born any time of the year but there is a peak in birth rates during summer. The female hides in thick vegetation to give birth and although the lambs are initially kept hidden, they are born fully developed and are up and running within 24 hours.

Gray duikers inhabit areas such as savannas, woodlands and grasslands, as well as in mountainous regions while preferring habitats with enough vegetation cover to be able to easily hide from predators. They are very wary and alert animals and are more active at dawn and dusk. Their conservation status is “least concern.”

The gray duiker’s main predators include leopards, jackals, large birds of prey, pythons and even crocodiles.They hide from predators by lying motionlessly until the last second when they run away if the predator is too close. They run in a zig-zag motion and will use their horns and sharp hooves to defend themselves. They are extremely quick which assists them in outrunning danger.

The gray duiker is one of the few African antelopes that are omnivores. They have a varied diet and feast on trees, bushes, fruits, pods, seeds, roots, flowers, fungi, caterpillars, small frogs and even nesting birds. They can go without water for long periods by consuming foods that have a high moisture content, for example, the wild melons that are found in some areas.