Free Computer Desktop Wallpaper Wall Paper Travel Photos Africa African Safari African Wildlife Animals Dark Continent EAC East Africa East African Community Eastern Africa Fauna Kirk's Dik-dik Madoqua kirkii Nature Outdoors Safari Style Sub-Saharan Africa Tanzania Tanzanian Safari Tarangire National Park United Republic of Tanzania Vertical Wildlife Stock Photos Fine Art Prints Image Licensing Stock Photography Photographs Fotos Pictures Pics Pix Images

Tarangire National Park, Tanzania - The Kirk's Dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii), is a small antelope found in eastern and southwestern Africa. Genetic and behavioural evidence suggests that the Kirk's dik-dik exhibits a fidelity in monogamous behaviour. Genetic analysis of off-spring indicate little non-pair parentage. Year-round, Kirk's dik-dik maintains close within pairs, follows each-others activity patterns and spends more than half of their time with their partners, although males show no parental care. The males guard their mates closely during oestrus and over-mark all female scent. This behaviour reduces the likelihood of other males attempting to mate, however, males did attempt mate with other females on occasion. Genetic monogamy in dik-diks is probably best explained by the behaviour of females: in contrast to many monogamous female birds, female dik-diks do not appear to seek to mate outside the pair-bond.