The smallest species of deer in the world, these tiny creatures are roughly the size of a domestic dog.
The pudu is one of two kinds, and both live in South America. The northern pudu is indigenous to Peru, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Colombia, whereas the southern pudu is indigenous to Chile and Argentina.
They only have a height of 12 to 16 inches.
Like the majority of grazing animals, pudus are vegetarians. They eat only leaves, grass, seeds, and falling fruit. They can either stand on their rear legs to reach vegetation, or unlike their larger deer relatives, they can even climb trees when necessary.
Pudus are wary creatures that are constantly on the lookout for potential predators. When pursued, they sprint in a zigzag pattern that makes them more difficult for larger predators to catch.
When necessary, they are also excellent climbers and jumpers.
These lonely creatures live in the thick jungles of South America, where they create a sophisticated network of trails to aid them in navigating the undergrowth.
Pudus are only observed together during mating. That usually occurs in the fall before they give birth to one or two fawn in the spring. Male Pudus are identified by their antlers, which are similar to those of their larger deer relatives.
Their average lifetime is 8 to 10 years, but this is in jeopardy owing to a variety of outside influences, including habitat degradation, infections, and parasites they can catch from domestic dogs.