Southern pudu
ExploreMammals
Southern pudu
Pudu puda
The Southern pudu is the smallest deer in the world! They are shy and like to hide in the bushes of the forest. With their tiny size, they are super cute and love to munch on leaves and fruits.
Habitat: Forests
Appearance
The Southern pudu is a tiny deer with a stocky body, short legs, and a reddish-brown coat. Males grow small, spiky antlers. Its compact size and dense fur help it navigate thick undergrowth.
KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderArtiodactylaFamilyCervidaeGenusPudu
Category
MammalsRarity
Rare
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
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Interesting facts
Male pudus grow small, spiky antlers that they shed and regrow every year.
Southern pudus are excellent at hiding, freezing perfectly still to avoid being seen!
The Southern pudu is the world's smallest deer, barely taller than a common house cat!
When threatened, these tiny deer sometimes blush with bright red cheeks!
Special abilities
Ability
Forest Camouflage
Southern pudu has a reddish-brown coat that helps them blend perfectly into the dense undergrowth of their forest home.
Ability
Zig-Zag Escape
Southern pudu can run in a fast zig-zag pattern through thick bushes that helps them lose predators quickly.
Ability
Tiny Leaps
Southern pudu can jump onto and over fallen logs that helps them move through cluttered forest floors with ease.
Measurements & details
- Length
- 60-85 cm
- Weight
- 6.5-13.5 kg
- Lifespan
- 8-10 years
- Top Speed
- 20 km/h
- Litter Size
- 1
- Gestation
- 200-210 days
Diet & Feeding
This tiny deer munches on leaves, twigs, fruits, and tasty fungi found in its forest home.
Primary Foods
- Leaves
- Twigs
- Bark
- Berries
- Fungi
- Fallen Fruits
Foraging Method
- Foraging
Ecological connections
eaten by
Puma
Puma concolor
A primary predator of adult pudu in their habitat.
eaten by
Culpeo Fox
Lycalopex culpaeus
Hunts young pudu fawns and smaller adults.
eats
Coihue
Nothofagus dombeyi
Pudu browse on its leaves and bark.
eats
Saffron Milkcap
Lactarius deliciosus
Pudu forage for various forest fungi like this one.
Traits
Furry
Furry describes animals possessing a dense covering of soft hair or fur.
Solitary
Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
Herbivorous
This trait characterizes organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of plant material.
Forest
Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.
Miniature
Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind.
Speedster
This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel.
Endangered
Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Always watch from a distance and do not try to touch wild animals.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long is Southern pudu?
60-85 cm
How much does Southern pudu weigh?
6.5-13.5 kg
How long does Southern pudu live?
8-10 years
How fast can Southern pudu move?
20 km/h
What does Southern pudu eat?
This tiny deer munches on leaves, twigs, fruits, and tasty fungi found in its forest home.
Where is Southern pudu usually found?
Forests
How does Southern pudu hunt?
Foraging
How many babies does Southern pudu usually have?
1
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