Mammals
Southern Pudu
Pudu puda · also called Chilean pudu
Standing barely 40 centimetres tall at the shoulder, a southern pudu ranks among the smallest deer species in the world, its shy, solitary life spent almost entirely hidden within the dense undergrowth of southern Chilean and Argentine rainforest.
Overview
The southern pudu, Pudu puda, is a Vulnerable mammal native to forest habitat across southern Chile and Argentina. Its status as one of the smallest deer species on Earth, its shy and solitary lifestyle, and its close dependence on dense temperate rainforest make it one of the more distinctive and conservation-sensitive deer species found anywhere in the world.
A deer built for hiding, not running
Rather than relying on speed across open ground like larger deer relatives, the southern pudu instead trusts its small size and dense forest cover to stay hidden, a strategy that works well until that forest itself begins to disappear.
Status
Vulnerable, with populations having declined due to habitat loss from logging, combined with competition and predation from introduced deer and dogs.
Southern Pudu: common questions
How small is the southern pudu?
This species is one of the smallest deer species in the world, standing only around 40 centimetres tall at the shoulder as a fully grown adult.
Why is the southern pudu rarely seen?
This species is shy and solitary, relying on dense temperate rainforest cover to avoid detection, and is rarely encountered out in the open.
What threatens the southern pudu?
This species faces threats from habitat loss due to logging, along with competition and predation from introduced deer and dogs across parts of its range.
What do male southern pudu antlers look like?
Males of this species grow short, simple, unbranched antlers, quite different from the elaborately branched antlers seen in many larger deer species.