title: Physiology of the dik-dik antelope.
abstract: 1. The East African dik-dik antelope represents a miniature model ruminant for comparative studies. 2. Dik-diks are browsers, consuming a diet consistently high in fermentable and digestable plant material. 3. Their foregut structure is designed for a relatively rapid passage of food and effective absorption of fermentative products. 4. Dik-dik antelopes are very economical in their use of water, having a low daily water exchange and excreting a highly concentrated urine. 5. Dik-diks have been observed to employ three thermoregulatory mechanisms; thermopanting, active sweating and a labile body temperature. 6. Their reproductive cycle is polyestrous with peak breeding in June and December, having a gestation period of between 170 and 174 days.
authors.affiliation: Department of Animal Physiology, University of Nairobi, Kenya.
authors.forename: G M
authors.initials: GM
authors.lastname: Maloiy
authors.forename: B M
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Rugangazi
authors.forename: E T
authors.initials: ET
authors.lastname: Clemens
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000866:Antelopes / Q000502:physiology*; D001188:Artiodactyla / Q000502:physiology*; D001522:Behavior, Animal; D001833:Body Temperature Regulation; D004068:Digestive System Physiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D007668:Kidney / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D012098:Reproduction