Animals | September 15, 2024 5:26 PM | Alisa

Dik Dik

Kirk’s dik-diks are tiny antelopes typically yellowish-grey to reddish-brown on their backs and greyish-white on their belly. Males have small ringed horns, often concealed by a tuft of hair on their forehead.

These antelopes have large, dark eyes surrounded by a white ring. They have preorbital glands, which appear as a black spot below the inside corner of each eye. These glands produce a dark, sticky secretion used to scent-mark their territories.

Because of its small size, this animal is vulnerable to many predators. Their only defence is their speed. They can run up to 26 mph. Also, they run in a zigzag pattern to try to escape. If a predator cannot mimic this zig-zagging pattern, it can give this small antelope the seconds it needs to get away.