Editing Pudu (section)

==Behavior==

===Social===
The pudú is a solitary animal whose behavior in the wild is largely unknown because of its secretive nature.<ref name="Frontier Patagonia">{{Cite web|title=The Wildlife of Northern Patagonia|publisher=Frontier Patagonia|url=http://frontierpatagonia.com/FrontierPatagonia/Wildlife.htm|access-date=20 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101216041013/http://frontierpatagonia.com/FrontierPatagonia/Wildlife.htm|archive-date=16 December 2010}}</ref> Pudús are [[crepuscular]], most active in the morning, late afternoon, and evening. Their home range generally extends about {{convert|16|to|25|ha|acres|abbr=on}}, much of which consists of crisscrossing pudú-trodden paths. Each pudú has its own home range, or [[territory (animal)|territory]].<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu">{{Cite web|url=http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Pudu_puda.html|title=Pudu Puda|last=Pollard|first=Sarah|work=University of Michigan|publisher=Museum of Zoology|access-date=17 September 2009}}</ref> A single animal's territory is marked with sizable [[feces|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 [[mating|mate]].<ref name="animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu" /> An easily frightened animal, the deer barks when in fear.<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com">{{Cite web|url=http://www.elavellano-lodge.com/wildlife-fauna-observation-tours-patagonia-rainforest-ecotourism-chile.php |title=Fauna of Patagonia: rainforest fauna – Chile |publisher=Elavellano Lodge |access-date=19 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080515234216/http://www.elavellano-lodge.com/wildlife-fauna-observation-tours-patagonia-rainforest-ecotourism-chile.php |archive-date=May 15, 2008 }}</ref><ref name="Brevard Zoo">{{Cite web|title=Southern Pudu|publisher=Brevard Zoo|year=2009|url=http://www.brevardzoo.org/explore_australasia.php?id=164|access-date=19 September 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122202331/http://brevardzoo.org/explore_australasia.php?id=164|archive-date=22 January 2009}}</ref> Its fur bristles and the pudú shivers when angered.<ref name="elavellano-lodge.com"/>

Predators of the pudús include the [[horned owl]], [[Culpeo|Andean fox]], [[Gray 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">{{Cite news|title=Meet the World's Smallest Deer |last=Williams|first=Jasmin |newspaper=New York Post |date=22 May 2008 |url=http://www.nypost.com/p/classroom_extra/meet_the_world_smallest_deer_iYvey68QMn6kEW0peQbleJ |access-date=17 September 2009 }}</ref> The lifespan of the pudús ranges from 8 to 10&nbsp;years in the wild.<ref name="Brevard Zoo"/> The longest recorded lifespan is 15&nbsp;years and 9&nbsp;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"/>

===Diet===
The pudús are [[herbivore|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">{{Cite web|title=Pudu|publisher=Chester Zoo|year=2009|url=http://www.chesterzoo.org/AnimalsandPlants/Mammals/HoofedAnimals/Pudu.aspx|access-date=19 September 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080419041805/http://www.chesterzoo.org/AnimalsandPlants/Mammals/HoofedAnimals/Pudu.aspx |archive-date = April 19, 2008}}</ref><ref name="LA Zoo">{{Cite web|title=Southern Pudu |publisher=Los Angeles Zoo |url=http://www.lazoo.org/animals/mammals/southernpudu/index.html |access-date=19 September 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090411124728/http://www.lazoo.org/animals/mammals/southernpudu/index.html |archive-date=April 11, 2009 }}</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"/>

===Reproduction===
[[File:Pudu puda 02.jpg|thumb|left|Pudú fawn at a rehabilitation center, [[Llanquihue Province]]]]
[[File:Pudu pudu AB.jpg|thumb|right|Small pudú]]
Pudús are solitary and only come together for [[rut (mammalian reproduction)|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&nbsp;days (around 7&nbsp;months) with the average being 210&nbsp;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 {{convert|700|to|1000|g|oz|abbr=on}} with the average birth weight being {{convert|890|g|oz|abbr=on}}.<ref name="placentation.ucsd.edu" /><ref name="cites.org" /> Newborns less than {{convert|600|g|abbr=on}} or more than {{convert|1000|g|abbr=on}} 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&nbsp;months. Females mature sexually in 6&nbsp;months, while males mature in 8–12&nbsp;months.<ref name="Bristol Zoo" /> Fawns are fully grown in 3&nbsp;months, but may stay with their mothers for 8 to 12&nbsp;months.<ref name=SouthernPuduIOLOE/>