Mammal · GBIF taxon 4262476
Rwenzori Duiker
Cephalophus nigrifrons rubidusAlso known as Ruwenzori Red Duiker, Ruwenzori Duiker, Rwenzori Red Duiker
Rwenzori duikers navigate the steep, misty slopes of the Rwenzori Mountains, relying on dense alpine vegetation for cover and sustenance. Their unusually thick, bright rufous coats trap warmth against the biting cold of high-elevation afro-alpine moorlands. These solitary ungulates pick through subalpine thickets for young leaves, shoots, and fallen fruits while staying alert for high-altitude predators.
MammalEndemicElusive
Licensed referenceCon J2105 / CC BY-SA 4.0 · cc-by-sa
—observations
—countries
—peak records
EndangeredConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXEndangeredRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Leaves
- Shoots
- Fallen Fruit
Predators
- Leopard
- African Golden Cat
- Humans
ThreatsPoaching with snares, restricted range, climate change
HabitatsAfro-alpine moorland and subalpine montane forest
Life span10–12 years in the wild
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBovidae
- SpeciesCephalophus nigrifrons rubidus
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Non-aggressive but can kick or bite if cornered; observe quietly from a respectful distance.
- What to notice
- Recognizable by its dense, bright reddish coat, short horns, and high-altitude mountain habitat.
- Support conservation
- Observe strictly from established park trails and never attempt to track or flush animals through fragile moorlands.
Responsible observation
- Patience in Observation: Scan dense alpine vegetation and thickets slowly along high-altitude trails.
- Minimize Noise: Speak softly and move quietly, as duikers are notoriously skittish and quick to flee.
- Stay on Trails: Protect fragile afro-alpine habitat while searching for signs of forage or hoofprints.
Close Relative 
Co-occurring Relative (c) NasserHalaweh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative Oopsadoodle / CC BY 3.0 · cc-by
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?
Checking your Fauna account…Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.