These Tiny Antelopes Use Their Tears To Mark Their Territory

So precious 😭

Dik-diks are another example of how shrinking an animal always seems to make it cuter; this is true for all animals.

One of the tiniest antelope species in the world, dik-diks are utterly adorable. Africa is home to these diminutive antelopes, which cohabit in monogamous pairs. Although dik-dik pairs frequently live close to one another, each pair has its own territory, and the way they mark it is just one more indication of how priceless they are.

While the pairs partially mark their territory using dung and urine (which isn’t as cute), they also mark twigs all around their area using tar-like secretions from their preorbital glands, which are similar to tear glands in humans. 

In other words, dik-diks mark their territory using their tears. 

Not only does each pair do this, but sometimes their kids even help out as well, and there’s nothing sweeter than imagining an entire family of dik-diks rubbing their tears on nearby branches and twigs in order to show everyone where their home is. 

Other characteristics that make dik-diks particularly adorable include the fact that they are under a foot tall and have a propensity to run in a zigzag pattern whenever they feel threatened and need to find cover.

So not only are dik-diks adorable — but they’re also super interesting and unique little animals.