The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

Duikers Close-up with a Wide Angle Lens…

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Komet the Yellow Backed Duicker at Houston Zoo

Meet Komet, a Yellow-backed Duiker born in early December 9th at the Houston Zoo. These large and gentle antelope live in the rainforests of central and western Africa. When they are alarmed, they flash a vivid yellow wedge of hair on their backs. While duikers are primarily vegetarians, they will eat insects from time to time and have even been observed stalking and eating rodents and small birds!

Komet the Yellow Backed Duicker at Houston Zoo 2

Mama Duiker at the Houston Zoo Mama Duiker at Houston Zoo bPhoto credits: First image, Laurie McGivern, Hoof Stock Supervisor, second and third images Stephanie Adam / Houston Zoo

4 responses to “Duikers Close-up with a Wide Angle Lens…”

  1. Mardi Avatar
    Mardi

    Pretty attractive antelopes! Love the dark brown eyes and big noses. Also that lovely mohawk on the last picture (which I assume is the wedge of hair you referred to) is gorgeous, but it wouldn’t scare me. What are the slits on either side of their snouts for?

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  2. Lily Avatar
    Lily

    The ‘mohawk’ you see is just a tuft of hair on its head. They have large yellow triangles on their backs that stand up like the ruff on a wolf, unfortunately that doesn’t show up in these photos.
    I think the slits you’re referring to are the suborbital glands, though I couldn’t tell you what exactly the glands do.
    (I volunteer with these guys at Zoo Miami. They have two males, a female and a new baby as well.)

    Reply
  3. Darlyn Avatar
    Darlyn

    Komet is so adorable!!!

    Reply
  4. Kate Avatar
    Kate

    I am a little concerned with a deer-like creature that eats rodents and birds.

    Reply

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