Mammals nocturnal

Bay Duiker

Cephalophus dorsalis

The Bay Duiker is a striking, nocturnal resident of the African rainforest, famous for the bold black stripe that runs the length of its chestnut-colored back. Secretive and solitary, this 'racing-striped' antelope is a prize find for any wildlife observer.

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Quick Identification

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Size

Shoulder height 44-49 cm (17-19 in); Weight 18-23 kg (40-51 lb)

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Colors

Rich reddish-brown to bright chestnut coat with a thick, solid black stripe running from the top of the head to the tip of the tail.

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Key Features

Continuous black dorsal stripe from head to tail
Short, spiky horns found on both sexes
Arched back with a low-slung head carriage
Large, dark scent glands visible below the eyes

When You’ll See Them

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Activity pattern nocturnal

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Peak hours 9:00 PM - 3:00 AM

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Season Year-round

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Diet Primarily frugivorous, focusing on fallen fruits, seeds, and flowers; occasionally supplements with fungi, insects, and bird eggs.

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Habitat Deep lowland rainforests and moist woodland areas with heavy undergrowth.

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Behavior

The Bay Duiker is a master of the shadows, distinguished by its strictly nocturnal lifestyle. Unlike many other duiker species that may be active during the day, this forest dweller spends its daylight hours hidden in the hollows of fallen trees or within the densest thickets. They are primarily solitary animals, navigating the forest floor with a cautious, hunched posture that allows them to slip through tangled vegetation with ease.

These antelopes are highly territorial and rely heavily on their sense of smell. They utilize the large preorbital glands beneath their eyes to mark their home range, rubbing the secretions on branches and trunks. While they are generally shy and avoid human contact, they are surprisingly bold foragers within their own territory, often following the sounds of monkeys or birds in the canopy to find falling scraps of food.

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Camera Tips

Capturing the Bay Duiker on camera is a rewarding challenge because of their exclusive nocturnal habits. To get the best results, you must set your camera to trigger at night with a high-quality infrared (IR) flash. Because these animals are relatively short, mount your camera much lower than you would for deer—aim for about 30 to 45 centimeters (12 to 18 inches) off the ground. This low angle ensures you capture the full profile of the animal, including the characteristic 'racing stripe' on its back, rather than just a blurry view of its legs.

Location is everything with this species. Look for natural clearings under large, fruit-bearing trees like wild figs or umbrellas. Bay Duikers frequent these spots to scavenge fruit dropped by arboreal animals. If you can find a well-worn game trail leading into a dense thicket, place your camera there. Use 'No-Glow' or 'Black' infrared LEDs if your camera supports them; while duikers aren't the most skittish animals, the absence of a visible red glow will prevent them from becoming 'camera shy' and changing their nightly route.

We highly recommend using video mode with a 20-second duration. Bay Duikers often move in a cautious, jittery manner, frequently stopping to sniff the air or listen for predators. A video clip is far more likely to capture these interesting behaviors and provide a clear view of the black dorsal stripe, which is their most defining field mark. If you are in an area where supplemental feeding is allowed, a small pile of sweet, fallen fruit like overripe bananas can act as an excellent lure to keep the animal in the frame long enough for a perfect shot.

Similar Species

Species that look similar or are commonly confused with Bay Duiker.

Peters's Duiker

The black stripe on a Peters's Duiker typically starts at the mid-back or shoulders rather than the head.

Ogilby's Duiker

Smaller in size with a much thinner, less prominent dorsal stripe that often fades before reaching the tail.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Bay Duiker is almost exclusively nocturnal, meaning it is most active during the deep night, typically between 9:00 PM and 3:00 AM, resting in dense cover during the day.

The best way to attract them is to place your camera near fruiting trees or to use a lure of overripe forest fruits like bananas or mangoes in areas where they are known to roam.

Their diet consists mostly of fallen fruits, seeds, and flowers. They are also known to occasionally eat insects, bird eggs, and small amounts of green vegetation.

No, Bay Duikers are forest specialists that require dense canopy cover and are rarely found near human settlements or suburban environments.

The Bay Duiker has a solid, well-defined black stripe that runs from the back of its head all the way to its tail, whereas Peters's Duiker has a stripe that usually only starts at the shoulders and widens towards the rump.

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