The southern pudu, known by the Chileans as venadito, is the smallest deer in the world. The northern pudu is a close second. With its very short legs and small, low-slung body, the southern pudu can easily move through dense vegetation and among rocks to escape predators. Predators include puma, fox, condor and domestic dogs. When pursued, southern pudu run in a zigzag pattern and will climb trunks of trees that are leaning over streams or bluffs to escape their pursuer. They are an endangered species. Pudu actually "climb" by trampling stalks of bamboo, and then scrambling to the top to forage for leaves! Pudu, like all deer, are ruminants.
