World's Smallest Deer Born at Queens Zoo

A southern pudu fawn, the smallest species of deer in the world, was born at the Wildlife Conservation Society's Queens Zoo last month, zoo officials say. 

The female fawn weighed 1 pound when she was born April 29 and could grow to 20 pounds as an adult. She's still nursing, but will soon transition to a diet of fresh leaves, grain, kale, carrots and hay, zoo officials say. 

Pudu are an exceptionally unique deer species; they bark when they sense danger, and although they're only about 12 to 14 inches tall, they can jump high and run fast.

Pudu are generally shy and solitary, preferring to hide in thick vegetation. When chased, pudu run in a zigzag pattern to escape predators like owls, foxes, pumas and small cats. 

Southern pudu are native to Chile and Argentina and are designated as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 

For more information on the pudu or the Queens Zoo, visit queenszoo.com. 
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