No typo in the title. I am talking about diks, not dicks.
So here's something fun I learnt today! I always thought antelopes were big animals... But it turns out there is a genus of antelopes called Madoqua with four distinct species that are small. Really, really small!
And the smallest one of them all is Madoqua piacentinii, commonly known as the silver dik-dik.
How small?
Well... Pretty much as big as a cat! Specifically, their length ranges from 45 to 50 cm (18–20 in) with a height of 30–33 cm (12–13 in) and a weight of 2–3 kg (4.4–6.6 lb). Lol!
Its back and flanks are grizzled silvery, while the limbs, ears, and muzzle are ochraceus in colour. source
Did I say they are super adorable too?
Cute! 😍 source
The species occurs in low, dense thickets along the southeastern coast of Somalia and in Acacia-Commiphora bushland in the Shebelle Valley in southeastern Ethiopia and not much is really known about it or their numbers...Which are most probably declining thanks to human related activities. For example, we know they are commonly hunted for their fur and horns by the locals. They are also captured alive and sold for falcon training because of their small size...Geez, that's such a sad use for such a beautiful and creature. And of course there's the good ol habitat destruction!
Out of the four dik dik species, it's the one that we know the least about.
Two female diks source
Unfortunately, I couldn't find any videos of the creature to share with you guys.
Oh well, hope you enjoyed discovering yet another bizarre creature with me. Here's a link to a decent article with some more info on them if you fancy doing some more reading!
Ok, here's one final photo before I leave you:
Silvergoldstackers Re-blog Lottery
Looks like cheap hive is back on the menu which means it's a good time for me to start accumulating HBI again! I will be drawing every day one winner with each new post. 5 hbi, one winner takes all. Feel free to re-blog this post for a chance to win some for free. My only condition is that you are an active member on the silvergoldstackers community here on hive or discord! If you are not, come on the discord, say a hi and tag me!
Yesterday's participants were:
And the winner is...
He wins 5 hbi. Everyone else one piece for the participation 🐞