Southern Pudu Pudu puda
Southern Pudu Pudu puda
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
Location: Chile, Argentina
Darting around and hiding on the forest floor, the Southern Pudu, known as püdü or püdu in Mapudungun (the language of the indigenous Mapuche people), is the world’s second-smallest #deer species. Weighing just 6.4 to 13.4 kg and standing at 35 to 45 cm at the shoulder, these miniature deer are remarkably adapted to their forested environments and communicate with each other through scent. Their short, spiky antlers curve slightly backward, and their thick chestnut-brown coat provides excellent camouflage in the undergrowth.Despite their small size, Southern Pudus are resilient #ungulates in one of the world’s most biodiverse but increasingly threatened temperate forests in #Argentina and #Chile. However, habitat destruction for eucalyptus and pine monoculture, predation by invasive species, road collisions and disease transmission from farmed animals are pushing populations to the brink. Help them by raising awareness, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
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Southern #Pudus are timid and wary tiny #deer 🦌one of the smallest in the 🌎, they hide in the undergrowth of #Argentina’s forests 🇦🇷 They’re ‘Near Threatened’ by #poaching and #deforestation. Raise your voice for them #Boycott4Wildlife ✊ @palmoildetect wp.me/pcFhgU-aoq
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As silent as a mouse 🐭 and smaller than a house #cat 🐱, Southern Pudus are miniature #deer 🦌🤎 who peer from rainforest shadows in #Chile 🇨🇱 Eucalyptus monoculture #deforestation 🌳🎋🔥is a major threat. Help them and #Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect wp.me/pcFhgU-aoq
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Appearance & Behaviour
Southern Pudus are a stocky tiny deer species with short legs, rounded ears, and large, dark eyes. Their small antlers, present only in males, measure between 5.3 and 9 cm and are shed annually. Their dense fur varies from reddish-brown to dark brown, often appearing darker in winter.
Unlike many other ungulate species, Pudus are solitary and highly secretive. They are mostly crepuscular, active mostly during dawn and dusk, and use scent-marking to communicate with other individuals. They rely on zigzagging escape routes through dense undergrowth to evade predators, making them difficult to spot in the wild.
Threats
Southern Pudu populations face multiple threats that have led to drastic declines in recent decades.
1. Habitat Loss and Deforestation
- Widespread forest clearance: Nearly 50% of the Valdivian temperate rainforest has been destroyed since 1550, with severe deforestation in the Maule and Araucanía regions.
- Deforestation for agriculture: Native forests are being replaced with monoculture plantations (eucalyptus, pine), cattle ranching, and agriculture, significantly reducing their available habitat.
- Fragmentation of remaining forests: The loss of continuous forest corridors isolates populations, leading to inbreeding and reduced genetic diversity.
2. Predation and Competition with Invasive Species
Free-ranging dogs attack and kill Pudus, even inside protected areas. Invasive deer and wild boar species compete for food and damage the undergrowth that Pudus rely on for shelter.
3. Road Development and Vehicle Collisions
Increasing road networks in Chile and Argentina have led to frequent roadkill incidents, including deaths inside national parks. The planned Chiloé-Mainland bridge could expose isolated Chiloé populations to new predators and human disturbances.
4. Disease Transmission from Livestock
Livestock diseases, including pestivirus, Leptospira, and bovine tuberculosis, are increasingly affecting wild Pudu populations. The presence of cattle-related pathogens has been documented, though their full impact is still being studied.
5. Illegal Poaching and Capture for the Pet Trade
Hunting for food still occurs in some rural areas. Some Pudus are illegally captured and sold in the exotic pet trade, despite their poor survival rate in captivity.
Geographic Range
The Southern Pudu is found in the temperate rainforests of southern Chile and southwestern Argentina, primarily within the Valdivian temperate forest. This elusive deer inhabits dense forests with thick underbrush, bamboo thickets, and Nothofagus-dominated woodlands, where they can navigate the understory with ease.
Diet
Like other deer species, Southern Pudus are browsing herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of shrubs, vines, bamboo shoots, ferns, leaves, and fallen fruit. Due to their small stature, they employ clever techniques to access food, including standing on their hind legs, bending saplings, or even climbing on logs and rocks to reach foliage. They obtain much of their moisture from their diet and can survive without drinking water for extended periods.
Mating and Reproduction
Mating season occurs during the Southern Hemisphere’s autumn (April to May). Males engage in territorial scent-marking but do not form harems. The gestation period for these miniature deers lasts approximately 210 days, with fawns typically born between November and January.
At birth, fawns weigh between 700 and 1,000 grams and have white-spotted coats for camouflage. They are weaned after two months but may remain with their mother for up to a year. Sexual maturity is reached at six months for females and 8–12 months for males.
FAQs
How small is the Southern Pudu compared to other deer?
The Southern Pudu is the second-smallest deer species in the world, only slightly larger than the Northern Pudu (Pudu mephistophiles). They stand 35–45 cm tall and weigh between 6.4–13.4 kg, making them smaller than many domestic cats.
Why are Southern Pudus classified as Near Threatened?
Their rapidly declining population is mainly due to habitat destruction, hunting, vehicle collisions, and diseases from livestock.
How do they communicate?
Southern Pudus use scent-marking from facial glands and urine to establish territories. They also emit barking sounds when alarmed.
Do Southern Pudus make good pets?
Absolutely not. Keeping a Pudu as a pet is illegal and highly unethical. These deer are extremely stress-prone and rarely survive in captivity unless part of scientific conservation efforts. They are meant to roam in the forests not be captive for their lives in a domestic environment or in a Zoo. If you want to help Southern Pudus raise awareness about them by sharing this post.
How do Southern Pudus avoid predators?
Pudus rely on stealth, agility, and dense undergrowth to evade predators. When chased, they zigzag through the forest and can jump over logs and climb steep terrain.
How do Pudus adapt to deforested areas?
While they prefer native forests, some Pudus have been observed using commercial tree plantations, but only when there is a dense understory for cover.
Take Action!
- Support conservation organisations that work to protect the Valdivian temperate forest.
- Advocate against the pet trade – Pudus are wild animals and they belong free in the wild, not kept as pets!
- Promote stricter regulations on free-roaming dogs in national parks.
- Raise awareness about the threats posed by deforestation and invasive species by sharing this post to social media. Use the one-click shares at the top of this post.
The Southern Pudu may be small, but their role in the biodiversity of South American forests is crucial. Protecting them means preserving one of the last temperate rainforests on Earth.
Support Southern Pudu by going vegan and boycotting deforestation causing commodities in the supermarket, it’s the #Boycott4Wildlife
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Hidalgo-Hermoso, E., et al. (2024). High exposure to livestock pathogens in Southern Pudu (Pudu puda) from Chile. Animals, 14(4), 526. doi.org/10.3390/ani14040526
Silva-Rodríguez, E. A., et al. (2011). Priorities for the conservation of the Pudu (Pudu puda) in southern South America. Animal Production Science, 51(4), 375-377. doi.org/10.1071/AN10286
Silva-Rodríguez, E, Pastore, H. & Jiménez, J. 2016. Pudu puda. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T18848A22164089. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Accessed on 26 February 2025.
Wikipedia contributors. (n.d.). Southern Pudu. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Southern…
Zúñiga, A. H., & Jiménez, J. E. (2018). Activity patterns and habitat use of Pudu deer (Pudu puda) in a mountain forest of south-central Chile. Journal of Natural History, 52(33-34), 2047-2054. doi.org/10.1080/00222933.2018.…
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Marsh Deer Blastocerus dichotomus
IUCN Status: Vulnerable
Locations: Argentina; Bolivia, Plurinational States of; Brazil; Paraguay; Peru
Extinct: Uruguay
The Marsh deer are South America’s largest deer species, uniquely adapted to wetland life with their web-like hooves and preference for aquatic plants. They are prey animals for jaguars and pumas.Already extinct in Uruguay, these majestic creatures, once widespread, are now confined to isolated pockets of Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Paraguay and Peru. Their main threat is habitat loss and fragmentation due to palm oil, soy and meat deforestation along with hydroelectric dams and gold mining.
Even as researchers strive to understand their complex and obscure social and mating behaviours, time is running out for these unique creatures. Use your wallet as a weapon and protect the Marsh deer, every time you shop #BoycottPalmOil #BoycottGold4Yanomami #Boycott4Wildlife.
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Time is running out for the tall and handsome, Marsh #deer 🦌🤎 the biggest deer in #SouthAmerica. They are #vulnerable from #palmoil 🌴🥜🥩🔥 #soy #meat #deforestation and #hunting. Help them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🪔🧐⛔️#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect palmoildetectives.com/2024/05/…
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Marsh Deer 🦌😻 live most of their lives in #wetlands of #Argentina 🇦🇷 #Peru 🇵🇪 #Bolivia 🇧🇴 #Brazil 🇧🇷eating plants. They are #vulnerable from #palmoil #agriculture and gold #mining. Fight for them and #Boycottpalmoil 🌴🚫#Boycott4Wildlife @palmoildetect palmoildetectives.com/2024/05/…
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Marsh Deer: Fast Facts
The Blastocerus dichotomus, more commonly known as the Marsh deer, is a fascinating species with several unique characteristics.
- Largest Deer in South America: The Marsh deer is the biggest deer species on the continent, measuring up to 2 meters in length and 1.2 meters at the shoulder height.
- Aquatic Adaptations: Unlike most other deer species, Marsh deer are well adapted to a life in wetlands and are good swimmers. Their hooves are even slightly webbed to help navigate through marshy areas.
- Seasonal Diet: Marsh deer is primarily a herbivore that feeds on aquatic plants. However, their diet can shift between the dry and wet seasons, adapting to the availability of food.
- Antler Shedding: Only male Marsh deer have antlers, and these are shed annually. These antlers can grow up to 60 cm in length and are branched, making them quite distinct.
- Restricted Habitats: While they were once widespread, they are now mostly found in isolated pockets along specific river basins and protected areas, signaling the effects of habitat loss and fragmentation.
- Color Changing Fawns: The young are born with a whitish coat that gradually changes to the adult coloration within their first year.
- Predators: Their natural predators include jaguars and pumas, but arguably, human activities pose a far greater threat to them through habitat destruction and hunting.
- Protected Areas: Some of the last strongholds for these deer are protected zones like Bahuaja-Sonene National Park in Peru and the Ibera Natural Reserve in Argentina.
- Social Structure: The social structure and mating systems of Marsh deer are not well understood, making them an intriguing subject for ongoing research.
- Threats: Apart from natural predators, they face significant threats from human activities such as agriculture, hydroelectric projects, and mining, putting them on the path toward endangerment if not adequately protected.
Appearance & Behaviour
Known scientifically as Blastocerus dichotomus, the Marsh deer holds the title for the largest deer species in South America. Adults can stretch up to 2 meters (around 6.6 feet) in length and stand as tall as 1.2 meters (nearly 4 feet) at the shoulder. Their appearance is striking, with large ears fringed in white, fur that ranges from red-gold to tawny brown, and notably long, dark legs. Males stand out even more with branching antlers that can extend up to 60 cm (or 23 inches).
Threats
The Marsh deer faces serious challenges to its survival, primarily from hunting and the destruction of its natural habitat. Here’s what’s contributing to the species’ decline:
- Palm Oil, Soy, and Meat Deforestation: These agricultural activities are prime culprits behind the loss of vital habitat.
- Hydroelectric Projects in Brazil and Argentina: Dams like those on the Tiete, Paraná, and Rio Grande rivers have significantly altered and reduced floodplain areas crucial to Marsh deer.
- Cattle Ranching: This has not only diminished available habitats but has also fragmented them. Plus, the Marsh deer now has to compete with domestic livestock for limited resources.
- Pollution from Gold Mining: In the Pantanal region, water pollution originating from gold mining activities poses a severe risk.
- Bovine Diseases: Past incidents in Bolivia have shown that the inadvertent spread of diseases from cattle can cause reproductive issues and significant population losses among the Marsh deer.
- Hunting and Competition with Livestock: Especially in areas like the Ibera Natural Reserve in Argentina, these factors can serve as additional stressors, potentially limiting the population growth of this already threatened species.
Habitat
Once rulers of wetlands across South America, Marsh deer are now reduced to mere pockets of their former range. Gone are the days when they graced the expansive landscapes of countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Peru, Brazil, Uruguay, and Paraguay. Now, they’re cornered into specific areas near rivers like the Paraná, Paraguay, Araguaia, and Guapore, not to mention a smattering of spots in the southern Amazon. Their last sanctuaries? Protected areas like Bahuaja-Sonene National Park in Peru.
Though they’ve adapted to marshes and lagoons, particularly in unique ecosystems like the Pantanal and Chaco, they’re limited to waters less than 70 cm (28 inches) deep. Even in these last refuges, they face relentless threats: from deforestation for palm oil, soy and meat agriculture, hunting and hydroelectric projects that alter their floodplain habitats.
Diet
Marsh deer are plant-eaters, focusing mainly on water-dwelling plants for nourishment. They also munch on aquatic flowers and shrubs that sprout in swampy terrains and on floating vegetation mats. Depending on whether it’s the dry or flood season, there is some variation in what they choose to eat.
Mating and breeding
The reproductive behavior of Marsh deer isn’t fully understood. Mating generally takes place during the dry season, although this can vary among different deer. After a gestation period of approximately 271 days, a single fawn is usually born between October and November, though twins are not unheard of. These fawns start off with a whitish coat that darkens as they age, typically within the first year. Weaning occurs around the 5-month mark, but young deer often stay with their mothers for more than a year. They reach reproductive age between 1 and 2 years old.
Support the conservation of this species
This animal has no protections in place. Read about other forgotten species here. Create art to support this forgotten animal or raise awareness about them by sharing this post and using the #Boycottpalmoil #Boycott4Wildlife hashtags on social media. Also you can boycott palm oil in the supermarket.
Further Information
Duarte, J.M.B, Varela, D., Piovezan, U., Beccaceci, M.D. & Garcia, J.E. 2016. Blastocerus dichotomus. The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species 2016: e.T2828A22160916. dx.doi.org/10.2305/IUCN.UK.201…. Accessed on 03 June 2023.
Marsh Deer on Wikipedia – en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marsh_de…
Take Action in Five Ways
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Read more
3. Supermarket sleuthing: Next time you’re in the supermarket, take photos of products containing palm oil. Share these to social media along with the hashtags to call out the greenwashing and ecocide of the brands who use palm oil. You can also take photos of palm oil free products and congratulate brands when they go palm oil free.
twitter.com/CuriousApe4/status…
twitter.com/PhillDixon1/status…
twitter.com/mugabe139/status/1…
4. Take to the streets: Get in touch with Palm Oil Detectives to find out more.
5. Donate: Make a one-off or monthly donation to Palm Oil Detectives as a way of saying thank you and to help pay for ongoing running costs of the website and social media campaigns. Donate here
Pledge your support
#Agriculture #argentina #BalabacMouseDeerTragulusNigricans #Bolivia #Boycott4wildlife #BoycottGold4Yanomami #BoycottPalmOil #Brazil #cattle #deer #deforestation #ForgottenAnimals #goldMining #hunting #hydroelectric #MarshDeerBlastocerusDichotomus #meat #meatAndSoyDeforestationInBrazil #mining #palmoil #Paraguay #Peru #SouthAmericaSpeciesEndangeredByPalmOilDeforestation #SouthAmerica #soy #soyDeforestation #ungulate #ungulates #vulnerable #VulnerableSpecies #Wetlands
The Marsh deer are South America's largest deer species, uniquely adapted to wetland life with their web-like hooves and preference for aquatic plants. They ...
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