ROYAL ANTELOPE

(Neotragus pygmaeus) tiny antelope, family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla), found alone or in pairs in dense West African forests. It is the smallest of antelopes and stands only 25 cm (10 inches) high at the shoulder. It is reddish brown with white underparts; the male is distinguished by short, spikelike horns. Despite its size, the royal antelope is reputedly able to jump about 2.8 m (9 feet) at a bound. A slightly larger relative, Bates's pygmy antelope (Neotragus batesi) inhabits dense central African forests.