Anatomy wrote:Dusa are small, partially-hoofed carnivorous bovid. Adults of most species stand between 50-70cm high at the shoulder and weigh on average 20-30kg, with females often being slightly larger than males. Both sexes have a pair of short, backwards-facing horns. Other than the very small difference in size, Dusa show very little sexual dimorphism, and it is very hard to tell the sexes apart in the field by appearance alone.
Dusa have many adaptations to fit their carnivorous lifestyle: they are bulky and heavy-set compared to most antelope, due to the strain of hunting. They have also lost much of their hoof mass, instead having fleshy pads with small "hooflets", which makes it easier for the Dusa to stalk their prey, while the hooflets provide excellent traction while running. Their long, muscular tails act like a counterbalance, allowing them to make harp turns at high speeds, and, unique to all other species of bovids, Dusa possess upper front teeth and canines, as well as shearing teeth.
Hunting and Diet wrote:Dusa are almost exclusively carnivorous, hunting in packs. They most often feed off of small animals such as rabbits, birds or rodents, but working as a team will often bring down larger game such as small deer or antelope.
Dusa will occasionally eat fruit or nuts if they are hungry enough, and have been documented eating leaves, grass and even bark in times of extreme famine.
Pack Structure wrote:Dusa live in small packs, usually with between 2-10 individuals. They are matriarchal, with a dominant female leading the group, several (usually related) females, and a few unrelated males. Females usually stay in their birth pack for their entire lives, while males usually leave their birth pack between the ages of 2-4 years, as they reach maturity.
Dusa packs are organized in a loose hierarchical structure, with females and males ranking in separate systems. Dusa are highly matriarchal, with all females being higher in rank than any male. In some species, or even individual packs, these hierarchies may not be enforced as severely. However, a dominant female is always present.
Reproduction wrote:A typical litter contains 1-3 young, which will nurse for around 6 months. Dusa fawns are lighter than the adults, with a spotted coats.
In times where food is not readily available, only the dominant female will have fawns. She will not allow any other members to do so. In times of plenty, however, any member of the pack will be allowed to breed, though the arrival of fawns will often be staggered throughout the season.
Dusa are semi-monogamous, forming pairs that may last several breeding seasons. Rarely, they may stay with one mate their entire lives, or even take a multiple mates in a season. All pack members help to take care of fawns.
Female Dusa reach maturity at around 2 years old, males at 3 years old. Dusa usually live between 15-20 years in the wild, though some captive Dusa have reportedly reached ages of 25 years or more.
Captive Dusa & Humans wrote: Though wild Dusa are incredibly shy and very wary of humans, their captive counterparts can be handled with relative ease if socialized properly. It takes a lot of time, effort and experience to gain the trust of a Dusa, but the rewards are many. Though they will never be as affectionate as domestic animals such as dogs or horses, Dusa can and will form a relationship with humans that they have regular contact with. However, they are usually still very wary of strangers. This, coupled with their territorial nature, makes them excellent guard animals.
They can also be used for hunting and tracking, and though they are far too small to ride, they can sometimes be trained in harness.
Dusa should be kept in groups of at least two animals if possible, as they are highly social animals and can become depressed, anxious and/or aggressive if kept alone for too long.