Kirk's Dik-dik: Laikipia, Kenya

Kirk's Dik-dik, Madoqua kirkii, reaches a height of only 35-45 cm at the shoulder. The male is noticeably smaller than the female and they pair for life. They are well adapted to dry conditions, metabolising all the water they need from their food which consists of leaves, buds, flowers, fruit as well as grass.

This is an older male showing some scars from close encounters with predators (including wild dogs, leopard, cheetah, lion & a couple of the larger birds of prey).

Photo Location: http://maps.google.com/maps?q=N+00%C2%B036.70+E+036%C2%B047.94&hl=en&ie=UTF8&ll=0.601362,36.840119&spn=0.024546,0.027595&sll=0.500558,36.510315&sspn=0.392745,0.441513&vpsrc=6&t=h&z=15