Mammal · GBIF taxon 7261459
Maxwell's Duiker
Philantomba maxwelliiAlso known as Maxwell Duiker
Maxwell's duikers are tiny, secretive forest antelopes that navigate the dense understory of West African rainforests with low-slung, agile bodies. Monogamous pairs mark territories using dark secretions from prominent preorbital glands near their eyes, frequently rubbing them against branches and each other. Their foraging follows tree-fruiting cycles, making them key seed dispersers and indicators of healthy tropical forest ecosystems.
MammalForest DwellerCrepuscular
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Fallen fruits
- Seeds
- Forest leaves
Predators
- Leopard
- Crowned Eagle
- African Rock Python
ThreatsBushmeat hunting, habitat loss, and deforestation
HabitatsTropical rainforests, gallery forests, and dense secondary growth
Life span10 to 12 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyBovidae
- SpeciesPhilantomba maxwellii
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Generally shy and harmless; may bite or scratch if cornered or handled.
Responsible observation
- Move quietly: Walk slowly along forest trails during early morning or dusk when they actively forage.
- Look low: Scan dense understory brush and fallen logs where they take shelter and hide.
Forest Co-inhabitant (c) NasserHalaweh, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Predator (c) Suvarna Parbhoo Mohan, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Henry de Lange, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Henry de Lange · cc-by
Close Relative
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