Pudu
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The pudus (Mapudungun püdü or püdu,<ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Template:Langx, {{#invoke:IPA|main}}) are two species of South American deer from the genus Pudu, and are the world's smallest deer.<ref name="Animal Planet">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The chevrotains (mouse-deer; Tragulidae) are smaller, but they are not true deer. The name is a loanword from Mapudungun, the language of the indigenous Mapuche people of central Chile and south-western Argentina.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /> The two species of pudus are the northern pudu (Pudu mephistophiles) from Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, and the southern pudu<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> (Pudu puda; sometimes incorrectly modified to Pudu pudu<ref>Hershkovitz, Philip (1982). Neotropical deer (Cervidae) : Part I. Pudus, genus Pudu Gray. Pp. 60–61. Fieldiana Zoology new series, no.11.</ref>) from southern Chile and south-western Argentina.<ref name="msw3">Template:MSW3 Grubb</ref> Pudus range in size from Template:Convert tall, and up to Template:Convert long.<ref name="cites.org">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}Template:Dead linkTemplate:Cbignore</ref> The southern pudu is classified as near threatened,<ref name="iucn">Template:Cite iucn</ref> while the northern pudu is classified as Data Deficient in the IUCN Red List.<ref name="iucn1">Template:Cite iucn</ref>
TaxonomyEdit
The genus Pudu was first erected by English naturalist John Edward Gray in 1850. Pudua was a Latinized version of the name proposed by Alfred Henry Garrod in 1877, but was ruled invalid. Pudus are classified in the New World deer subfamily Capreolinae within the deer family Cervidae. The term "pudú" itself is derived from the language of the Mapuche people of the Los Lagos Region of south-central Chile.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu"/> Because they live on the slopes of the Andes Mountain Range, they are also known as the "Chilean mountain goat".<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com"/>
Two similar species of pudús are recognised: Template:Species table
Template:Species table/row Template:Species table/end
DescriptionEdit
The pudus are the world's smallest deer, with the southern pudu being slightly larger than the northern pudu.<ref name="Animal Planet"/> It has a stocky frame supported by short and slender legs. It is Template:Convert high at the shoulder and up to Template:Convert in length. Pudus normally weigh up to Template:Convert,<ref name="cites.org"/> but the highest recorded weight of a pudu is Template:Convert.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pudus have small, black eyes,<ref name="Animal Planet"/> black noses, and rounded ears with lengths of Template:Convert. Sexual dimorphism in the species includes an absence of antlers in females. Males have short, spiked antlers that are not forked, as seen in most species of deer. The antlers, which are shed annually,<ref name="Bristol Zoo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> can extend from Template:Convert in length and protrude from between the ears.<ref name="cites.org"/> Also on the head are large preorbital glands. Pudus have small hooves, dewclaws, and short tails about Template:Convert in length when measured without hair. Coat coloration varies with season, sex, and individual genes. The fur is long and stiff, typically pressed close to the body, with a reddish-brown to dark-brown hue.<ref name=Meyer2007>Template:Cite journal</ref> The neck and shoulders of an aged pudu turn a dark gray-brown in the winter.<ref name="cites.org"/>
Habitat and distributionEdit
The pudú inhabits temperate rainforests in South America, where the dense underbrush and bamboo thickets offer protection from predators.<ref name="SouthernPuduIOLOE">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Southern Chile, south-west Argentina, Chiloé Island, and northwest South America are home to the deer.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu"/><ref name="cites.org"/> The northern pudú is found in the northern Andes of Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Peru, from Template:Convert above sea level. The southern species is found in the slope of the southern Andes from sea level to Template:Convert.
The climate of the pudú's habitat is composed of two main seasons: a damp, moderate winter and an arid summer. Annual precipitation in these areas of Argentina and Chile ranges from Template:Convert.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu" />
BehaviorEdit
SocialEdit
The pudú is a solitary animal whose behavior in the wild is largely unknown because of its secretive nature.<ref name="Frontier Patagonia">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Pudús are crepuscular, most active in the morning, late afternoon, and evening. Their home range generally extends about Template:Convert, much of which consists of crisscrossing pudú-trodden paths. Each pudú has its own home range, or territory.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> A single animal's territory is marked with sizable dung piles found on paths and near eating and resting areas. Large facial glands for scent communication allow correspondence with other pudú deer.<ref name="Bristol Zoo"/> Pudús do not interact socially, other than to mate.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu" /> An easily frightened animal, the deer barks when in fear.<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="Brevard Zoo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Its fur bristles and the pudú shivers when angered.<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com"/>
Predators of the pudús include the horned owl, Andean fox, Magellan fox, cougar, and other small cats. The pudú is a wary animal that moves slowly and stops often, smelling the air for scents of predators. Being a proficient climber, jumper, and sprinter, the deer flees in a zigzag path when being pursued.<ref name="nypost.com">Template:Cite news</ref> The lifespan of the pudús ranges from 8 to 10 years in the wild.<ref name="Brevard Zoo"/> The longest recorded lifespan is 15 years and 9 months. However, such longevity is rare and most pudús die at a much younger age, from a wide range of causes. Maternal neglect of newborns, as well as a wide range of diseases, can decrease the population.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu"/> A popular rumor is that if alarmed to a high degree, pudús die from fear-induced cardiac complications.<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com"/>
DietEdit
The pudús are herbivorous,<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com"/> consuming vines, leaves from low trees, shrubs, succulent sprouts, herbs, ferns, blossoms, buds, tree bark, and fallen fruit.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu"/><ref name="Chester Zoo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref name="LA Zoo">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> They can survive without drinking water for long periods due to the high water content of the succulent foliage in their diets.<ref name="Animal Planet"/>
Pudús have various methods of obtaining the foliage they need. Their small stature and cautious nature create obstacles in attaining food.<ref name="LA Zoo"/> They stop often while searching for food to stand on their hind legs and smell the wind, detecting food scents.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu"/><ref name="nypost.com"/> Females and fawns peel bark from saplings using their teeth, but mature males may use their spikelike antlers. The deer may use their front legs to press down on saplings until they snap or become low enough to the ground so they can reach the leaves. Forced to stand on their hind legs due to their small size, the deer climb branches and tree stumps to reach higher foliage.<ref name="Bristol Zoo"/> They bend bamboo shoots horizontally in order to walk on them and eat from higher branches.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu"/>
ReproductionEdit
Pudús are solitary and only come together for rut. Mating season is in the Southern Hemisphere autumn, from April to May.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/> Pudú DNA is arranged into 70 chromosomes.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /> To mate, the pudú male rests his chin on the female's back, then sniffs her rear before mounting her from behind, holding her with his fore legs.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu" /> The gestation period ranges from 202 to 223 days (around 7 months) with the average being 210 days.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /> A single offspring or sometimes twins are born in austral spring, from November to January.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/><ref name="Brevard Zoo" /> Newborns weigh Template:Convert with the average birth weight being Template:Convert.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /><ref name="cites.org" /> Newborns less than Template:Convert or more than Template:Convert die. Females and males weigh the same at birth.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /> Fawns have reddish-brown fur and southern pudú fawns have white spots running the length of their backs.<ref name="cites.org" /> Young are weaned after 2 months. Females mature sexually in 6 months, while males mature in 8–12 months.<ref name="Bristol Zoo" /> Fawns are fully grown in 3 months, but may stay with their mothers for 8 to 12 months.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/>
Status and conservationEdit
The southern pudu is currently listed as near threatened on the IUCN Red List,<ref name=iucn/> mainly because of overhunting and habitat loss, while the northern pudu is currently classified as being 'Data deficient'.<ref name=iucn1/> Pudu puda is listed in CITES Appendix I, and Pudu mephistophiles is listed in CITES Appendix II.<ref>CITES Appendix I, II, and III</ref> The southern species is more easily maintained in captivity than the northern, though small populations of the northern formerly existed in zoos.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /> Template:As of, more than 100 southern pudús are kept at Species360-registered institutions with the vast majority in European and US zoos.<ref>Species360 (2010) Pudu puda. Version 27 October 2010</ref> Pudús are difficult to transport because they are easily overheated and stressed.<ref name="cites.org" /> Pudús are protected in various national parks; parks require resources to enforce protection of the deer.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/>
Efforts to preserve the pudú species are being taken in order to prevent extinction. An international captive-breeding program for the southern pudú led by Universidad de Concepcion in Chile has been started.<ref name="Bristol Zoo" /><ref>Template:Cite iucn</ref> Some deer have been bred in captivity and reintroduced into Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina.<ref name="cites.org" /> Reintroduction efforts include the use of radio collars for tracking.<ref name="Chilean Pudu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species has banned the international trading of pudús.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/> The Wildlife Conservation Society protects their natural habitat and works to recreate it for pudús in captivity.<ref name="nypost.com"/> Despite efforts made by the World Wildlife Fund, the size of the pudú population remains unknown.<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu" /> Threats to the pudús remain despite various conservation efforts.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/>
ThreatsEdit
Pudús are threatened due to the destruction of their rainforest habitat. The land is cleared for human development, cattle ranching, agriculture, logging, and exotic tree plantations.<ref name="Animal Planet" /><ref name="Bristol Zoo" /><ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/> Habitat fragmentation and road accidents cause pudú deaths. They are taken from the wild as pets, as well as exported illegally.<ref name="cites.org" /><ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/> They are overhunted and killed for food by specially trained hunting dogs.<ref name="Animal Planet" /><ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/><ref name="Chilean Pudu" /> The recently introduced red deer compete with pudús for food. Domestic dogs prey upon pudús and transfer parasites through contact. Pudús are very susceptible to diseases such as bladder worms, lungworms, roundworms, and heartworms.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/><ref name="nypost.com" />
ReferencesEdit
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