The post This Tiny Pudu Deer Will Steal Your Heart in Seconds appeared first on A-Z Animals.
Move aside, Bambi, there’s another deer that’s giving us all the feels. The tiny pudu deer in this video, posted by @wildliveplanet, is the world’s smallest deer. This also means it’s the world’s cutest—and we won’t be taking any arguments. Affectionately called “Petal,” this pudu deer has a permanent home at the San Diego Zoo Safari Park. She was born in the spring of 2024 and, when fully grown, will stand between 13 and 17 inches tall. She won’t weigh more than 30 pounds, making her a fraction of the size of your average deer. If her tiny size doesn’t make you a little misty-eyed, her adorable baby deer face certainly will. The good news? All baby pudu deer are this cute!
The Small Life of a Pudu Deer
The pudu deer in this video is a baby, but even as adults, the species remains tiny. Adults barely come up to a human’s knees, and babies are even smaller at birth. In tall grass, you’d hardly be able to spot one running around—which is fitting, since this is the pudu’s favorite type of terrain. They prefer dense rainforests with plenty of coverage, and typically run alone or in groups of no more than three other deer. The pudu is usually solitary and prefers to forage, rest, and groom alone.
A pudu, the smallest deer species in the world.
©Anastasija Popova/Shutterstock.com
When it comes to food, pudus are among the least picky of all deer. They eat practically anything in their native habitats, including nuts, berries, leaves, shrubs, vines, fruits, and even fungi. In the wild, these cuties can live up to a decade, but under human care, they can live up to 17 years, according to the Chester Zoo. As a species, they’ve adapted to a world that doesn’t always cater to their small size. They’re clever and creative animals that find innovative ways to reach food despite their short stature. Sometimes, they even use rocks or fallen logs to reach food that would otherwise be out of reach due to their short legs.
Shy and Elusive
In the wild, pudus prefer to be left to their own devices. They’re skittish, like most deer, and shy away from humans and other animals. The pudu is non-confrontational and will run or evade an animal before engaging in a fight. Given the pudu’s small size, this is as much a defensive maneuver as it is a survival tactic. Pudus are also somewhat territorial and will mark their territory with scent piles. Pudus will also scent-mark during territorial disputes and the mating season, particularly among males establishing a hierarchy. During these disputes, they may headbutt, jump, and thrash at each other with their front legs. Although male pudus have small antlers when they’re born, they shed them each season, and the antlers are not very effective as weapons.
Northern pudus weigh only about 13 lbs when fully grown.
©Helge Zabka/Shutterstock.com
Just because pudus are shy doesn’t mean they don’t have fun. In the comfort of their own territory, wild pudus have been seen frolicking and playing in sheltered fields. This is similar to many other deer species, which also exhibit a playful side when they feel safe. When a pudu feels threatened, it may freeze—a common defensive behavior among many deer species.
The post This Tiny Pudu Deer Will Steal Your Heart in Seconds appeared first on A-Z Animals.
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