DUIKER, COMMON 

The Common or Grey Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia grimmia) is a small, shy antelope. Their coats vary from a reddish-brown to grey-brown and they usually have lighter coloured bellies. They have short legs, and a distinctive tuft of hair between its small, straight horns (in males). 

Distribution: Found in Sub Saharan Africa. 

Size: A small to medium-sized antelope species.   

Weight: 25 – 35lb / 15 – 21 kg 

Shoulder Height: 20 – 26’’ / 50 – 66 cm

Horns: Males only. Upright and straight, long and pointed; fairly well ridged at the base.

Habitat: Common but very difficult to hunt unless you get lucky. Found in open habitat, as long as some shelter is available. Very adaptable and survive in a wide range of localities where other game species have been destroyed. 

Habits: Are solitary or found in pairs and mostly nocturnal, feeding on leaves, fruits, and small animals. They are highly adaptable and use dense vegetation for cover, darting away when disturbed. They're known for their elusive and cautious behaviour.

Hunting Tips: Move quietly and be patient, as they are highly alert and elusive. Focus on areas with dense vegetation where they seek cover. Early morning and late afternoon are ideal times, as they are more active. Very good sense of smell, hearing and sight. They like to freeze before darting off at any sign of danger. 

Trophy Information

Good Horn Length: Horns as long as the ear. 

Record Book  

SCI Min. - 11

SCI Min. Bow - 9  

Rowland Ward Min. - 4 1/2 

World Record - 7 1/8 

SCI Measurement Method: 1 Rowland Ward Measurement Method: 7-a

Species & Subspecies Information

There are between 14 – 20 Bush Duiker subspecies traditionally grouped into four groups, the Southern, Angolan Western and East African Duikers. 

Species: 1 – Common Duiker, Grey Duiker, Bush Duiker or Grimm’s Duiker

Subspecies: Up to 40 - Southern Bush, Common Grey or Gimm’s Duiker, Crowned, South African or Kaffir Bush Duiker, Steinhardt’s Bush Duiker, Angola Bush Duiker, Nyasa Bush Duiker, Athi Bush Duiker, Ugandan Bush Duiker, Alpine Bush Duiker, Elgon Bush Duiker, Kilimajaro Bush Duiker, Abyssinian Bush Goat, Campbell’s Duiker or Black Faced Philantomba and Pale Grey Duiker. 

Other: 15 species of Forest Duikers. From this large group of Duikers, two occur in South Africa, the Blue and Red or Natal Duiker.