Kirk’s dik-dik (Madoqua kirkii) is a tiny antelope of East Africa. It stands tip-toed, about 18 inches tall.
Toe walking is a feature of ungulates (animals with hooves). The structure of the foot is such that only the toe tips touch the ground; the “heel” is located further up the leg. A hard layer of keratin caps each toe, protecting and strengthening it.
Dik-diks have two weight-bearing digits on each foot (thus, they belong to the “even-toed” or Artiodactyla group).
This foot structure gives this animal speed and nimbleness (they can sprint up to 26 mph and turn on a dime).
Don’t worry if you spot one of these tiny antelope perched high on a rock or on a steep cliff face. They are built for it.
