The dwarf antelope [2] [3] , or the dwarf antelope [3] ( Neotragus pygmaeus ) is a mammal of the barnacle family, the smallest representative of the subfamily of true antelopes .
| Dwarf antelope |
 |
| Scientific classification |
|---|
| No rank : | Bilateral symmetrical |
| Subfamily : | Real antelopes |
|
| International scientific name |
|---|
Neotragus pygmaeus ( Linnaeus , 1758 ) |
| Synonyms |
|---|
Capra pygmaea Linnaeus , 1758 [1]
Antilope regia Erxleben , 1777 [1]
Antilope opinigera Lesson , 1827 [1]
Nanotragus perpusillus Gray , 1851 [1] |
| Security status |
|---|
Least ConcernedIUCN 3.1 Least Concern : 14602 |
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The height at the withers is only 30 cm (according to other sources [4] 25 cm), the mass is 3.2–3.6 kg (according to other sources, 1.5–3 kg). [4] The dwarf antelope cub is so small that it can fit in the palm of an adult. The hind legs are much longer than the front. [4] The color of the coat is tan, slightly darker on the head, back and sides. The underbelly, chin and inner surfaces of the legs are white; at the end of the tail is a white tassel. [4] Males have small cone-shaped horns of black color, [4] about 2.5 cm long (up to 3.5 cm [4] ).
This species lives in the dense forests of West Africa , from Sierra Leone to Ghana . [five]
Dwarf antelopes are active at dusk or at night, they are very careful. [5] Avoiding danger, they can jump 2.5 meters. En
They feed on leaves and fruits under the forest canopy.
They are not gregarious, live singly, in pairs or in small family groups. The biology of reproduction is poorly studied. [5] The duration of pregnancy is unknown. There is one cub in the litter. Newborns weigh less than 300 g; they are colored just like adult antelopes. Mother's milk feeding lasts two months. Maturity occurs at the age of one year. Life expectancy in the wild is about 6 years; live in captivity up to 10 years. [four]
According to experts, in 1999 the total population of the species numbered about 62 thousand individuals, but these data could be underestimated, since the animals lead a very secretive lifestyle. [4] It is believed that Neotragus pygmaeus is one of the species whose safety causes the least concern [6] . These small antelopes are hunted for meat, which may pose a threat to the preservation of the population in the future. [four]
