ANIMAL: Royal Antelope Neotragus pygmaeus Type of Animal: Antelope Habitat: Lowland forest, forest edge Location(s): Guinean forest of W. Africa Appearance: Smallest antelope in world, calves can fit into average person’s open hand, male has small, spike-like horns, reddish brown to golden brown coloration w/ pale underbelly. Food/Diet: Leaves, shoots, flowers, fruit, fungi Status in Wild: Stable Conservation: Breeding in zoos Lifestyle: Solitary or male-female pairs Additional Info: Called: Male-Buck Female-Doe Young-Fawn/Calf Group-Pair Weight: Male-4 lbs Female-3.28 lbs Young-10.56 oz Gestation: 4 months Height: 3.84-4.8 in Body Length: 1.3-1.64 ft Life Span: 6 years Tail Length: 1.92-3.12 in Main predators are chimps, leopards, raptors, crocodiles, pythons, & vipers. Important source of food for many African tribes. Territories usually about 328 sq ft are marked with dung. Sexually mature at 6 months old. Despite small size, they can leap as far as 9 ft in single bound & as high as 1.8 ft from standing start. Typically nocturnal or crepuscular. They’re very shy & flighty, often fleeing or jumping at slightest hint of danger. Usually weaned at 2 months old. Very few in-depth studies have been made on this species. First described by Swedish zoologist Carl Linnaeus in 10th edition of Systema Naturae (1758). Fun Fact(s): This species is a key character in many folktales from Sierra Leone. Renowned for speed & wiseness in Liberian folklore. The name is said to derive from Liberian designation as “King of the Hares.” It is taboo to hunt this species in Liberia.
