Blue duiker
Scientific name: Philantomba monticola
- How weight is recorded: Carcass weight
Field notes
Appearance
Very small antelope with a stocky build and dark slate-blue coat that appears almost black in certain light. Males bear short, straight horns; females are hornless. Males are noticeably larger than females.
Size and weight
Males 3.5–4.5 kg, females 2.5–3.5 kg; body length 12–16 cm.
Habitat
Inhabits dense montane and submontane forests, typically between 1,500 and 3,500 m elevation. Prefers thickly vegetated areas with good cover and proximity to water sources.
Distribution
Endemic to the East African highlands, found in forests of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Rwanda. Restricted to high-altitude forest blocks with continuous canopy cover.
Diet
Primarily browses on fallen leaves, fruits, fungi, and low herbaceous vegetation; diet varies seasonally with fruit availability.
Behaviour
Solitary or in pairs; largely crepuscular and nocturnal, moving through dense cover during low light. Moves in short, rapid bursts and freezes when alarmed.
Hunting tips
Look for small, paired hoof prints and pellet droppings in soft ground near fruiting trees and water seeps. Move slowly through dense cover near dawn and dusk, using wind direction to your advantage. Stalk carefully along game trails, pausing frequently to listen for the soft sounds of movement through leaf litter.
Carcass weight
This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.
Where it is hunted
Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.
Names in other languages
Current language: en
These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.