Pudu

Although they may be the world’s second smallest deer, these mini mammals are truly memorable. Standing at just 38 cm tall, their small body size helps them manoeuvre easily through the dense rainforest vegetation. Short, strong legs enable them to create trail paths through their habitat.

Their reddish-brown coats provide camouflage in the undergrowth, and their small antlers, which grow to around 10 cm, are shed every year. Active during both day and night, they usually rest and groom in the middle of the day. While mostly solitary, they can be found in small groups of up to three individuals. Pudu are wary, territorial animals, marking their territory with scent glands.

Pudu numbers have declined partly due to habitat destruction caused by cattle ranching, human development, and persecution by hunting dogs.