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Cephalophus zebra
Duiquer cebra (Sp), Zebraducker (G), Céphalophe zèbre (F). Also called banded duiker, striped duiker, zebra antelope, marked deer (Liberia), mountain deer (Sierra Leone).
DESCRIPTION Shoulder height 18-20 inches (45-50 cm). Weight 30-40 pounds (14-18 kg).
The zebra duiker is a highly distinctive, medium-sized, rather stockily built duiker with a spectacular striped coat. The general color is pale orange, darker on the neck and shoulders, with about 12 vertical brownish black stripes on the side and rump. The forehead and cheeks are reddish, the muzzle is slate gray. Head tuft is very short or absent. The underparts are lighter, the legs are reddish with black bands, and the tail is hairy and mostly white. Inguinal (groin) and tarsal (hock) glands are present, the latter with reddish brown hair tufts. The horns (both sexes) are thick and often gnarled at the base, cone-shaped, and very short. They grow at a slight angle above the plane of the face. Females are similar to males, but have shorter, slimmer horns.
BEHAVIOR Mainly solitary, though sometimes in small family groups. Seem to move about in a fairly large area, appearing infrequently but repeatedly over a period of time in the same places. Probably rather diurnal, but very wary and secretive.
HABITAT High rain forest.
DISTRIBUTION Sierra Leone, Liberia, and southwestern Ivory Coast.
TAXONOMIC NOTES No subspecies are recognized.
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