Average weight of males – 13 kg(29 lbs) and females which is slightly larger 15 kg (33 lbs). The average shoulder height is about 40 cm (16 in) high.
Identification
They have a distinctive deep chestnut red coloured coat with a darker tuft of hair between the horns. Both the males and females have short ,stubby horns.
Difference between male and female: The female is slightly larger in size and have shorter horns than the male.
Habits
Confined to thickets and forests with dense undergrowth, under warm humid conditions. They are both forager and browser and are independent of water. Occur solitary, or in pairs or a family group. (Female with offspring/pair with offspring). Red duiker mainly occurs in the stretch along the East Coast of KZN all the way up to Mozambique. They are very timid herbivores and are seldom seen except on cool, cloudy days. At the slightest sight of danger, they will take flight and disappear into denser vegetation. Likes to forage underneath trees where monkeys are active and have dropped fresh leaves and fruit.
Breeding
Breeding may occur throughout the year. A single young is born after a gestation period of +- 7 months. The offspring stays hidden and will be visited 3 – 4 times a day by the female to lactate. After about 20 days, the offspring will join the female.