What kind of animal is the Pudu, the smallest deer in the world? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. There are two confirmed species of Pudu: Pudu puda (Southern Pudu) and Pudu mephistophiles (Northern Pudu). However, they are designated as an endangered species.
What is a Pudu? Basic Stats
The Pudu is an even-toed ungulate that belongs to the Cervidae family. Its English name is pudú, and its scientific name is Pudu puda. Its body length is 70-85cm, its tail length is 3-5cm, and its weight is 6.5-13.5kg. The list of information is as follows:
| Japanese（和名） | プーズー |
| English（英名） | pudú |
| scientific name(学名) | Pudu puda |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Artiodactyla、 Cervidae、Pudu 哺乳綱、偶蹄目、ウシ科、プーズー属 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | NEAR THREATENED |
| Length（体長） | 70～85cm |
| Weight（体重） | 6.5～13.5kg |
Habitat
The Pudu is native to Chile in South America.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
The pudu’s whole body is covered with hard fur, reddish brown in summer and gray brown in winter. Its limbs are thick but its hooves are short. Males have horns about 10 cm long. The horns fall off in July and grow back. Pudus are found in the Andes region of Chile and Argentina. Pudus prefer forests and secondary forests from plains to mountains, and they like places with a lot of grass.
What is their personality like?
Pudus usually live alone and are not very social animals. Pudus are active both day and night, and spend a lot of time foraging. They are docile and cautious by nature, so they are fairly territorial animals.
What is their ecology like?
Pudus live by eating plant-based foods such as leaves, roots, shoots, flowers, and fallen fruit. They breed from November to January, and females can give birth to 1-2 pups at a time. They reach full growth at about 3 months of age and reach sexual maturity in 8 to 12 months. Their lifespan is 10 years.
Do they have any natural predators?
Pudus’ natural predators include cougars, foxes, and large birds of prey.
Is the pudu an endangered species?
The pudu is designated as an endangered species. Poaching for meat is the biggest threat, and conservation efforts are underway.
Can you keep a pudu as a pet?
Because the pudu is designated as an endangered species, the general public cannot keep them as pets. They are listed at the top of the page at zoos and other places, so take a look at males and females. They are the smallest deer in the world, and in Japan, babies at the Children’s Zoo and Saitama …
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