The pudús are two subspecies of South American deer from the genus Pudu, and are the world’s smallest deer. The name is a loanword from Mapudungun, the language of the indigenous Mapuche people of southern Chile.
The two species of pudús are the northern pudú from Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and the southern pudú from southern Chile and southwestern Argentina. Pudús range in size from 32 to 44 centimeters (13 to 17 in) tall, and up to 85 centimeters (33 in) long. As of 2009, both species are classified as “Endangered” in the IUCN Red List.
The pudú is a solitary animal whose behavior in the wild is largely unknown because of its secretive nature. Pudús are crepuscular, most active in the morning, late afternoon, and evening. Pudús do not interact socially, other than to mate.
An easily frightened animal, the deer barks when in fear. Its fur bristles and the pudú shivers when angered.
Pudús are threatened due to the destruction of their rainforest habitat. The land is cleared for human development, cattle ranching, agriculture, logging, and exotic tree plantations.
A tiny male deer fawn weighing just 1lb (450g) and measuring 6 by 6 in (15.24 x 15.24cm) was born on May 12 at Queens Zoo, NYC. Pudu are the world’s smallest deer species and the Zoo now has 3 on display. The tiny creature is still nursing but will soon be eating leaves, grain, kale, carrots, and hay.
Pudu are a subspecies of the South American deer and are generally solitary animals. They bark when frightened, shiver when angered, and do not interact socially other than to mate. Pudu are so small that they count the horned owl as one of their predators, and there is a popular rumor that the deer can die from fear-induced cardiac complications.
This baby deer was born at the same zoo a month earlier:
