Neotragus pygmaeus

Cladus: Eukaryota
Supergroup: Opisthokonta
Regnum: Animalia
Subregnum: Eumetazoa
Cladus: Bilateria
Cladus: Nephrozoa
Cladus: Deuterostomia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Infraphylum: Gnathostomata
Superclassis: Tetrapoda
Classis: Mammalia
Subclassis: Theria
Infraclassis: Placentalia
Superordo: Cetartiodactyla
Ordo: Artiodactyla
Subordo: Ruminantia
Familia: Bovidae
Subfamilia: Antilopinae
Genus: Neotragus
Species: Neotragus pygmaeus

Name

Neotragus pygmaeus L., 1758

References

* Neotragus pygmaeus on Mammal Species of the World.
* Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference, 2 Volume Set edited by Don E. Wilson, DeeAnn M. Reeder

Vernacular names
Deutsch: Kleinstböckchen
English: Royal Antelope
Türkçe: Kral antilop

The Royal Antelope (Neotragus pygmaeus) is a West African antelope, only 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) tall and weighing only 3.2–3.6 kg (9–10 lb) — it is the smallest of all antelopes. Their calves are small enough to fit into the average person's open hand. It is light brown in colour, with a paler underbelly and slightly darker heads and flanks. The male has small, spike-like horns, about 2.5 cm (1 inch) long.

Royal Antelopes live in dense forests in West Africa, feeding on leaves and fruit in the undergrowth. They are mostly nocturnal and are very shy, reputedly able to leap 2.5 metres in one bound if disturbed. They are not gregarious, living on their own or occasionally in pairs.

References

1. ^ IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group (2008). Neotragus pygmaeus. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 13 November 2008.Database entry includes justification for why this species is listed as Least Concern.