Gray Duiker

The Gray Duiker is a deer-like animal that lives in forested areas of Sub-Saharan Africa. It generally feeds at night and hides in shrubs or under grass for most of the day. It is a browser, eating mostly found seeds, leaves or fruits and will often follow groups of birds or monkeys to pick up the fruit that they drop. It will also hunt for carrion or small rodents and birds, when food is scarce. The name Duiker comes from the Afrikaans word for “diver,” referring to the animal's tendency to leap into vegetation and hide when alarmed. Duikers are distinctive for the small tuft of hair between their pointed ears. Only male Duikers have horns like the ones on this skull.