Animal Planet :: Mammal Guide -- Temperate Forest

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Southern Pudu

The pudu is the smallest true deer.

Active both in the day and at night, it lives in small herds, feeding mainly on leaves, but also on flowers, fruit, and buds.

Because of its diminutive size, it often must stand on its hindlegs, sometimes on top of fallen trees, to reach the foliage.

It can go for long periods of time without drinking, getting most of its water from succulent plants.

Males are easily distinguished from females by their short straight antlers.

The southern pudu is endangered because of overhunting and habitat loss to agriculture and livestock.

	Name: Southern Pudu (Pudu pudu) Family: Cervidae (Deer and Relatives) Range: Southern Chile and southwestern Argentina Habitat: Dense lowland forest Diet: Fallen fruit, ferns, vines, and small tree foliage Head and Body Length: 28 to 33 inches (70 to 83 cm) Tail Length: 1 to 2 inches (3 to 5 cm) Shoulder Height: 14 to 15 inches (35 to 38 cm) Weight: 16 to 29 pounds (7.5 to 13 kg) Life Cycle: Mating April to June; gestation 200 to 220 days, one (occasionally two) fawns born Description: Buff, patterned coat; reddish-brown back; reddish face and chin; small eyes and ears; long, coarse hair; low body; short, thick legs; males have short antlers Conservation Status: Vulnerable Major Threat: Hunting; invasive species What Can I Do?: Visit WWF for information on how you can help.