Today’s page looks at a deer that’s about the size of the average family dog.
THE little pudu is one amazing deer. Pudu are the smallest species of deer on Earth. The animal is native to Argentina and Chile in South America. There are two species of pudu: the northern pudu, which stands about 12 to 14 inches tall, and the southern or Chilean pudu, which is a bit taller at 14 to 16 inches.
Like all grazing animals, pudus are vegetarians, living on a diet of grass, leaves, twigs, seeds and fallen fruit. They often have to stand on their hind legs to reach foliage. But, unlike their bigger cousins, the pudu can also climb fallen trees – a handy skill when trying to escape predators or grab a meal from on high. It also proves that bigger is not always better.
The animal is very wary and pauses often to check the wind for the scent of food and signs of predators. When chased, they run in a zigzag pattern, making them hard to catch. They also bark when threatened. These animals are excellent jumpers, sprinters and climbers. The pudu’s predators include cougars, the Magellan fox, the Andes fox, small cats and the eagle owl.
The pudu’s natural habitat is the dense forests of South America. The aanimals devise a complex and well-defined system of paths, which help them quickly navigate the undergrowth of the forest. These paths also include excellent places to get food and shelter.
Pudus are solitary animals, meaning they like to be on their own. They come together only to mate. Pudus mate in the fall and give birth to one or two fawn in the spring. The young reach physical maturity at just 3 months. Like their bigger cousins, males are distinguished by antlers. The pudu’s coat is short, coarse and reddish brown. They are most active during the day and can survive for long periods of time without drinking water, getting their needed moisture from succulent plants.
The pudu’s lifespan is eight to 10 years, but the creatures are being endangered by the loss of their habitat, as well as by diseases and parasites, such as heartworms, contracted through contact with domestic dogs.
The Wildlife Conservation Society is working to protect the habitat of these animals in their native South American homeland.
You can check out the pint-sized pudus, Josephine and Napoleon at the Queens Zoo in Flushing. It was love at first site for these normally solitary critters. According to their keeper, the pair really like each other and often curl up together, something that probably would not happen in the wild. The Queens Zoo is also part of the Wildlife Conservation Society, which brings these unique animals up close and personal and also works to replicate their natural habitat in captivity as well as helping to preserve their habitat in the wild. Visit http://www.queenszoo.com for hours and admission prices.
Today’s page fulfills the following standards: ELA 1c, 3c, 3d, 5a; Social Studies Standard 3; Science 2c.
NEW YORK POST ACTIVITIES
USE the Internet or other reference source to learn more about pudus and other members of the deer family. What are the similarities and differences between pudus and their larger cousins?
USE a map or globe to locate Argentina and Chile, the native home of the pudus.
PUDUS have unique methods of protection, including running in a zigzag pattern, their climbing ability and barking. Make a list of other animals and ways that they protect themselves.