The Tiny 10: South Africa’s most elusive antelopes - biology, hunting challenge and rural economic benefits

30 October 2025

The “Tiny 10” are Africa’s smallest antelope species. For many South African hunters and

professional hunters they represent the ultimate small-game challenge: stealthy, alert,

habitat-specialist animals that test skill, patience and local knowledge.

This article (1) defines the Tiny 10 species most commonly included in the South African version of the list; (2) gives species-by-species facts (taxonomy, size, distribution, habitat, conservation status and hunting notes); and (3) examines how demand for Tiny-10 hunts contributes to rural economies through hunting tourism, jobs, local supply chains and private wildlife land use.

What are the Tiny 10?

“Tiny Ten” (or “Tiny 10”) is a hunter’s term that groups together the smallest African

antelopes prized by specialist hunters. The exact composition can vary by country.

The “South African Tiny Ten” commonly used by PHs and outfitters typically includes small species that occur or can be hunted in South Africa or neighbouring areas (e.g. blue duiker, common duiker, steenbok, suni, Cape and Sharp’s grysbok, Damara dik-dik or an equivalent dik-dik, klipspringer, oribi and others).

The list below follows the commonly accepted South African variant used by professional hunting outfits and Safari Club descriptions.

Species profiles

1. Blue duiker (Philantomba monticola)

The Blue Duiker is the smallest of all duiker species and one of Africa’s tiniest

antelopes. Described in 1789 by Swedish naturalist Carl Peter Thunberg, it belongs

to the genus Philantomba within the Bovidae family, alongside Maxwell’s (P.

maxwelli) and Walter’s duikers (P. walteri).

Adult blue duikers stand 32-41 cm at the shoulder and weigh 3.5-9 kg, with females

slightly larger than males. Both sexes have short, spiky horns (around 5 cm)

concealed by tufts of hair, and their tail measures just over 10 cm. Coat colour varies

among subspecies (up to 12 subspecies have been recognised) ranging from

greyish-blue to chestnut hues depending on region and habitat.

(Image: Blue Duiker, Source: https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/blue-duiker/ )

Primarily diurnal and monogamous, blue duikers form territorial pairs that occupy

small home ranges of 0.4-0.8 hectares, which they scent-mark using preorbital

glands. They feed mainly on fallen fruits, leaves, flowers and bark fragments, taking

advantage of the forest canopy’s litter layer. Females give birth year-round after a

four- to seven-month gestation, with young concealed for protection and weaned at

around three months.The species inhabits coastal, montane, gallery and secondary forests across central, eastern and southern Africa, including South Africa’s coastal and scarp forests in KwaZulu-Natal and the Eastern Cape. Their dense understorey habitats provide both forage and cover.

While the IUCN lists the Blue Duiker as Least Concern, local populations face significant pressure from habitat loss, particularly in densely populated regions. Despite this, they remain relatively adaptable when suitable forest cover persists.

Interesting fact: The name duiker comes from the Afrikaans word ‘duik’ (to dive),

referencing the animal’s habit of quickly diving into thick vegetation when alarmed, a trait that makes it a challenging quarry for hunters pursuing the Tiny 10.

2. Common (or grey) duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia)

(Image: Common (or grey) duiker, Source: https://zbsafaris.co.za/animals/duiker )

The Common Duiker (Sylvicapra grimmia) is one of Africa’s most widespread small antelope species, found across almost every habitat type on the continent, from lowland savannas and fynbos to mountain slopes such as those of Mt. Kilimanjaro and Mt. Kenya. While it avoids true deserts and dense rainforests, its survival is closely tied to areas offering woody vegetation or tall grass cover, which provide both food and refuge from predators. This adaptability has allowed the species to thrive even in human-altered environments. Common Duikers are often seen along the fringes of farmlands and sometimes forage within cultivated crops once they provide

sufficient cover.

Studies across South Africa demonstrate the species’ flexibility in habitat use and feeding behaviour. In the Soutpansberg Mountains, Common Duikers showed a preference for foraging in tall grass and fern areas that offered both food and escape routes, while avoiding rocky or exposed zones. In the Eastern Cape, chicory crops contributed substantially to their diet - up to a third during winter months. Though primarily browsers, they maintain a varied diet of leaves, fruits, seeds, herbs, and grasses, with monocots comprising 12-30% of their intake depending on region.

Socially, the Common Duiker is solitary, with individuals typically encountered alone

or in temporary male-female pairs during the breeding period. It breeds throughout

the year, with females giving birth to a single lamb after a gestation of about 191days. Females reach sexual maturity early, as young as eight to nine months, allowing populations to recover quickly where conditions are suitable.

Ecologically, the Common Duiker plays a vital role as prey for numerous large carnivores, including Leopard (Panthera pardus), Lion (Panthera leo), and Spotted Hyena (Crocuta crocuta). Its wide distribution, ecological adaptability, and resilience to moderate habitat modification make it a key species in maintaining predator-prey dynamics and biodiversity in South Africa’s savanna and woodland ecosystems.

3. Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris)

(Image: Steenbok, Source: https://za.pinterest.com/pin/steenbok--24769866694790745/ )

The elegant Steenbok (Raphicerus campestris) is a quintessential species of

southern Africa’s open plains, grasslands, and lightly wooded savannas. Recognised

by its tawny coat, white underparts, and large, alert ears, this diminutive antelope

typically stands 45 to 60 centimetres high and weighs up to 16 kilograms.

Steenbok are often encountered singly or in pairs, freezing in tall grass before darting off in explosive bursts when disturbed, a behaviour that gives them their name, derived from the Afrikaans “steen” (stone), referring to their stillness before flight.

Adapted to semi-arid conditions, they survive on a wide variety of vegetation and can go without free-standing water for long periods. Because they are widespread and often encountered during plains game safaris, the steenbok is sometimes the first species collected by hunters beginning their Tiny 10 journey. Its combination of accessibility and challenging pursuit makes it a favourite among ethical sportsmen.

4. Suni (Neotragus moschatus) and subspecies such as Livingstone’s suni

(Image: Suni, Source: https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-suni-neotragus-moschatus-adult-male-standing-mkuze-game-reserve-naturephotography-image80076406.html )

The Suni (Nesotragus moschatus) inhabits dense coastal and riverine thickets from northern KwaZulu-Natal through Mozambique to Tanzania. Weighing only 4 to 6 kilograms and standing just over 35 centimetres tall, the Suni’s diminutive stature and elusive habits make it a rare sight in the wild.

It feeds primarily on fallen fruit, leaves, and flowers, and its survival depends heavily on intact forest undergrowth. Due to its secretive nature and dense habitat, the Suni is regarded as one of the hardest Tiny 10 species to hunt ethically.

Its presence in community conservancies and private reserves underscores the importance of maintaining thicket ecosystems, which also support birdlife and pollinators vital to ecological balance.

5. Cape grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) and Sharp’s grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei)

Cape Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis)

Restricted to the coastal regions of South Africa’s Western and Eastern Cape, the

Cape Grysbok (Raphicerus melanotis) is a small, stocky antelope that inhabits dense

fynbos, renosterveld, and coastal scrub.

(Image: Cape Grysbok, Source: https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_cape_grysbok.html )

The species takes its name from the Afrikaans “grys,” meaning “grey,” referring to the white-flecked hairs that give its reddish coat a grizzled appearance. Standing around 45 centimetres at the shoulder and weighing between 8 and 12 kilograms, Cape Grysbok are nocturnal and highly secretive, often detected only by the flash of their tails as they slip through thick cover.

Their restricted range and preference for rugged, vegetated terrain make them one of the most sought-after Tiny 10 trophies.

Conservation-minded hunting operators in the Cape play an essential role in maintaining viable populations, as these small antelope depend on well-managed private land for survival and habitat connectivity.

Sharpe’s Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei)

(Image: Sharpe’s Grysbok, Source: https://www.mindenpictures.com/stock-photo-sharpe-s-grysbok-raphicerus-sharpei--kruger-national-park-south-africa-naturephotography-image00592390.html )

Sharpe’s Grysbok (Raphicerus sharpei), the northern counterpart of the Cape

Grysbok, occupies rocky hillsides and thick bush across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Malawi, and southern Tanzania. Similar in appearance but slightly lighter in colour, it stands about 50 centimetres tall and weighs between 7 and 11 kilograms.

Sharpe’s Grysbok is nocturnal and notoriously elusive, spending most of the day concealed among rocks or dense vegetation. Because of its secretive nature and limited distribution, locating and hunting this species often requires local expertise, careful glassing, and patient stalking, traits that make it a prized component of any Tiny 10 collection. Beyond its appeal to hunters, the Sharpe’s Grysbok illustrates how small antelope species can thrive in areas where human activity is managed sustainably, showcasing the compatibility between ethical hunting and habitat stewardship.

6. Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus)

(Image: Klipspringer, Source: https://zbsafaris.co.za/animals/klipspringer )

The Klipspringer (Oreotragus oreotragus), aptly named “rock jumper” in Afrikaans, is perfectly adapted to life on steep, rocky outcrops and cliffs. Its short, spongy hooves enable it to balance effortlessly on narrow rock ledges, while its coarse, hollow hair provides insulation against mountain winds.

Standing 50 to 60 centimetres at the shoulder, the klipspringer is a compact,

sure-footed species found from the Cape mountains to East Africa.

These monogamous antelope are typically seen in pairs, maintaining small territories high above the plains. For hunters, the klipspringer represents one of the most challenging pursuits in the Tiny 10 due to its terrain, requiring fitness, patience, and precision shooting in rugged country. Well-managed, low-impact mountain hunts contribute to rural incomes and reinforce the conservation value of rocky habitats often unsuitable for agriculture.

7. Oribi (Ourebia ourebi)

Graceful and slender, the Oribi (Ourebia ourebi) is a small antelope of open

grasslands, floodplains, and lightly wooded areas across eastern and southern

Africa. Standing about 60 centimetres tall and weighing up to 25 kilograms, the

species is distinguished by its long legs, white rump patch, and short, straight horns

in males.

(Image: Oribi, Source: https://www.krugerpark.co.za/africa_oribi.html )

Oribi form small family groups or pairs and are highly dependent on well-managed grassland ecosystems. Because they rely on open plains, they are particularly vulnerable to habitat loss from agricultural expansion and overgrazing. On private game ranches and conservancies, sustainable hunting incentives have helped secure habitat protection for oribi populations while generating local employment and

conservation funding. For hunters, spotting and stalking these alert antelope in open terrain is a true test of fieldcraft and marksmanship.

8. Dik-dik (Damara dik-dik or related species) (Madoqua spp.)

The Damara Dik-Dik (Madoqua damarensis) is among the smallest hoofed mammals

on Earth, standing just 30 to 40 centimetres tall and weighing barely 5 kilograms.

Found primarily in Namibia and southwestern Angola, this miniature antelope

inhabits arid thornbush and mopane scrub.

(Image: Dik Dik, Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dik-dik )

Its large eyes, elongated snout, and fine reddish coat give it a delicate appearance, but it is remarkably hardy and well adapted to desert conditions. Dik-diks are monogamous and highly territorial, often remaining within the same patch of habitat for life.

Their small size and restricted distribution make them one of the most challenging and expensive species to hunt in the Tiny 10, with permits carefully regulated to ensure sustainable quotas.

9. Red duiker (Natal/red forest duiker) (Cephalophus natalensis and

other small duikers)

(Image: Natal Red Duiker, Source: https://www.sanbi.org/animal-of-the-week/red-forest-duiker/ )

The Natal Red Duiker (Cephalophus natalensis) is a small forest antelope native to the subtropical coastal forests of KwaZulu-Natal and into Mozambique. Its rich reddish-brown coat and hunched posture make it easily recognisable, though seldom seen due to its shy, crepuscular habits.

Standing about 43 centimetres tall and weighing up to 14 kilograms, the red duiker feeds on fallen fruits, leaves, and flowers, performing an important ecological role in seed dispersal within forest ecosystems. Populations are stable in well-protected areas, but habitat fragmentation and illegal snaring pose ongoing threats.

10. Species substitutions and regional variants

Outfitters and PHs often adapt the Tiny-Ten roster according to local availability -

e.g., include Damara dik-dik or replace with a grey rhebok/ mountain reedbuck

equivalent in certain areas. That variability is widely documented in the industry.

Why the Tiny 10 are sought after

Tiny-10 species are popular for reasons beyond trophy size: (1) they present a technical

challenge, their small size, acute senses and habitat-specialist behaviour make detection

and ethical shot placement more difficult; (2) they diversify a hunter’s experience beyond

big-game trophies; and (3) collecting a complete Tiny-10 “set” is a niche but celebrated

achievement among specialist hunters and collectors. Hunting methods commonly used

include spot-and-stalk at dawn/dusk, hides/ambushes near browse or water, and very

selective driven hunts in thick country for duikers and grysbok. Several professional hunting outfits describe specialised 2-3 week Tiny-Ten itineraries that emphasise camouflage, patience and close-range marksmanship.

How Tiny 10 and small-antelope hunting boost rural economies

Hunting tourism - including both trophy and “biltong”/small-game hunting - channels cash into rural areas through direct spending (e.g., accommodation, PH fees, local wages), secondary supply chains (e.g.,food, transport, guides), and long-term private land use that places value on wildlife. Van der Merwe & Saayman (2025) and related contemporary reviews find larger aggregated impacts when all hunting tourism activities are considered, reporting substantially larger total production impacts (recent bioeconomics work cites hunting tourism impacts in the order of hundreds of millions to low billions USD when scaled nationally). These more recent papers emphasise hunting’s multiplier into local employment, food supply, transport and on-farm

labour - all important to rural livelihoods.

Studies across Africa and in South Africa also show that hunting revenues (lease fees, PH

wages, meat distribution, bed-nights) can: (1) support local employment (full-time and

seasonal), (2) finance anti-poaching and habitat management, (3) generate cash for

community projects when revenue-sharing exists, and (4) incentivise landowners to retain natural habitat rather than convert to agriculture.

How Tiny-10 hunts plug into this system

• High-value specialist packages: Tiny-10 hunts are niche premium products - they command higher per-unit guiding intensity and can extend stay lengths (hunters may spend days hunting a single species). That results in more lodge nights, PH guide days, tracker wages and vehicle/field expenditures per successful trophy compared to casual one-day hunts. Industry material from experienced operators documents multi-week Tiny-10 itineraries and premium pricing.

• Local service and supply chains: accommodation, food provision, local transport,

  fencing, taxidermy, and meat processing all see demand from specialist hunts.

  Small-game hunts often require more hides and blinds, local labour to construct or

  maintain hides, and night-time or early-morning staff. These are accessible jobs for

  rural communities. Peer-reviewed economic models show agriculture and local

  services are main beneficiaries of hunting spending.

• Land-use incentive: private game ranchers and communal landholders who can

  earn revenue from legal hunts are economically motivated to keep land in wildlife production rather than convert to lower-value agriculture, which provides a conservation incentive.

The Tiny 10 are biologically fascinating and behaviorally challenging species that occupy

habitats ranging from dense coastal forest (blue duiker, red duiker, suni) to open savanna

and rocky outcrops (steenbok, klipspringer, oribi). For WRSA members and professional

hunters they represent a highly specialised product that, when properly regulated and

ethically practised, provides a premium tourist offering and channels economic benefits into rural service sectors, employment and private land conservation. The academic and industry literature documents clear pathways by which hunting tourism generates rural income and incentivises wildlife land use, but it also emphasises the need for robust governance, monitoring and transparent community benefit mechanisms to make those benefits sustainable and defensible.

Citations

Saayman, M., van der Merwe, P. & Saayman, A., 2018. The economic impact of

trophy hunting in the South African wildlife industry. Tourism Research in Economic

Environs and Society (TREES). [pdf] Available at: (dataset/summary used)

(Regulations.gov)

Van der Merwe, P. & Saayman, A., 2025. Assessing the contributions of hunting

tourism to the South African economy. Wildlife Research, WR24192, 2025. (Just

accepted / published analysis on hunting tourism contributions). (publish.csiro.au)

Traill, L.W., 2024. A global survey of the societal benefits of trophy hunting. Biological

Conservation, (2024). (Review that discusses hunting incentives and land use).

(ScienceDirect)

SANBI (South African National Biodiversity Institute), 2019. Blue duiker (Philantomba

monticola) — Animal of the Week. SANBI. [online]. Available at: SANBI website.

(SANBI - Biodiversity of life)

EWT (Endangered Wildlife Trust) & species assessment, Philantomba monticola – Blue Duiker (assessment PDF). (Endangered Wildlife Trust)

Animal Diversity Web entries and IUCN notes for steenbok, blue duiker and suni

(species accounts used for distribution/biology summaries). (Animal Diversity Web)

Safari Club International / industry pages on the Tiny Ten (overview of species &

hunting challenge). Southern Africa's Tiny Ten (SCI blog, 2023). (Safari Club

International)

Industry operator overviews and Tiny-Ten hunt packages (Infinito Safaris; JohnX

Safaris; Pronkjag) - used to characterise typical hunting itineraries, substitutions

and practical hunting notes. (Infinito Safaris)

Conservation critiques and working papers on the limits of trophy hunting’s economic

case (NET working paper; reports from NGOs and critical analyses). (Digital Mall

Blob Storage)

Baker, N. & Brown, J. (2013). Habitat preferences of the Common Duiker in the

Soutpansberg Mountains.

Bowland, A.E. (1997). Reproductive biology of the Common Duiker in South Africa.

Gagnon, M. & Chew, A. (2000). Dietary composition of small antelope species in

southern Africa.

Hayward, M.W. (2006). Predator–prey relationships of southern African carnivores.

IUCN SSC Antelope Specialist Group. (2016). Sylvicapra grimmia. The IUCN Red

List of Threatened Species.

Kigozi, G. (2003). Seasonal diet composition of the Common Duiker in the Eastern

Cape, South Africa.

Prins, H.H.T. et al. (2006). Feeding ecology of the Common Duiker in southern

Mozambique.

Skinner, J.D. & Chimimba, C.T. (2005). The Mammals of the Southern African

Subregion. 3rd ed. Cambridge University Press.

Wilson, D.E. (2013). Handbook of the Mammals of the World: Volume 2 – Hoofed Mammals