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Quick answer
Kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a tiny East African antelope that lives in lifelong pairs in thornbush and arid scrub from Somalia and Kenya through Tanzania. Adults weigh about 5 kg, whistle when alarmed, browse moist leaves rather than tall grass, and are listed Least Concern.
Top questions about the Kirk's Dik-dik
Kirk's Dik-dik facts at a glance
- Weight 5 kg
- Length 60 cm
- Top speed 40 km/h
- Lifespan 10 years
| Scientific name | Madoqua kirkii |
|---|---|
| Diet | Herbivore |
| Habitat | Thornbush and arid scrub |
| Lifespan | Around 10 years in the wild (varies by population and captivity). |
| Weight | About 5 kg typical adult mass (sex and region vary). |
| Top speed | Up to roughly 40 km/h when moving at speed. |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |
| Kingdom | Animalia |
|---|---|
| Phylum | Chordata |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Artiodactyla |
| Family | Bovidae |
| Genus | Madoqua |
Where it lives
The kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is native to Dry bush country of East Africa from Somalia and Kenya to Tanzania and Namibia-region relatives. — recorded across Africa in this guide’s range summary.
For occurrence records, see GBIF species search and sources below.
How big is a kirk's dik-dik?
An adult kirk's dik-dik measures 60 cm long — about 35% of the height of an average adult person (1.73 m) — and weighs around 5.0 kg, about 7% of an average adult’s body weight (70 kg).
Length vs an average adult’s height (to scale)
What is a group of kirk's dik-diks called?
Group name (collective noun)
A group of Kirk's Dik-diks is called a herd.
Baby name
A baby Kirk's Dik-dik is called a fawn.
Explore more animal collective nouns and baby animal names .
Pocket antelope with a whistle
Elongated flexible snouts help pant and cool; only males have short spike horns often hidden by a crest. Monogamous pairs hold territories marked with dung piles and preorbital gland secretions.
Browse of the dry bush
Diet is leaves, shoots, flowers, and fruits selected for moisture — they rarely need to drink free water. Across its range it is tied to thornbush and arid scrub, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Horn of Africa to Tanzania
Dry bush country of East Africa from Somalia and Kenya into Tanzania, with related dik-dik species elsewhere in Africa. Across its range it is tied to thornbush and arid scrub, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Bushmeat and dogs
Least Concern thanks to wide range, but snaring, feral dogs, and charcoal-driven thicket loss affect local densities near villages. Across its range it is tied to thornbush and arid scrub, and field accounts emphasise this species’ distinctive ecology rather than generic habitat labels.
Explore the Kirk's Dik-dik
Range & geography
Conservation status of the Kirk's Dik-dik
The kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Least Concern (LC) is the IUCN's lowest-risk category, assigned to widespread, abundant species that have been evaluated and found not to be threatened. It does not mean a species faces no pressures — only that it is not currently at risk of extinction.
The kirk's dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is assessed on the IUCN Red List. Look up on the IUCN Red List .
Frequently asked questions about the Kirk's Dik-dik
Why is it called a dik-dik?
The name imitates the sharp alarm whistle pairs give when fleeing — that is the usual English name for a young kirk's dik-dik.
Do dik-diks live in herds?
No — they typically live in monogamous pairs on small territories. Native range summary: Dry bush country of East Africa from Somalia and Kenya to Tanzania and Namibia-region relatives.
How small are dik-diks?
Kirk's dik-dik adults weigh only about 5 kg — among the smallest antelopes.
Can dik-diks go without drinking?
Yes — they often meet water needs from moist browse.
Where do Kirk's dik-diks live?
Arid thornbush of East Africa from Somalia and Kenya to Tanzania. Native range summary: Dry bush country of East Africa from Somalia and Kenya to Tanzania and Namibia-region relatives.
What is a group of kirk's dik-diks called?
A group of Kirk's Dik-diks is called a herd.
What is a baby kirk's dik-dik called?
A baby Kirk's Dik-dik is called a fawn.
Sources & references
This guide is compiled and reviewed against established zoological and conservation references. Key sources for the Kirk's Dik-dik:
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IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
Conservation status (Least Concern) reflects the IUCN Red List category for Madoqua kirkii.
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iNaturalist — observations & photos
Search citizen-science observations and community IDs for Madoqua kirkii. Useful for range checks and recent sightings — not a substitute for formal Red List status.
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GBIF — occurrence data
Global Biodiversity Information Facility species search for Madoqua kirkii. Explore published occurrence records used in range research.
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How we research, source, review, and update every guide for accuracy.
