The pudu refers to two species of South American deer belonging to the genus Pudu. These animals are recognized as the smallest deer in the world. The name itself is a loanword derived from Mapudungun, which is the language spoken by the indigenous Mapuche people of central Chile and south-western Argentina.
The two species are categorized as the northern pudu and the southern pudu. The northern pudu is found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru, while the southern pudu inhabits southern Chile and south-western Argentina. These deer range in size from 32 to 44 centimeters tall and can reach lengths of up to 85 centimeters.
Conservation statuses for the species vary; the southern pudu is currently classified as near threatened, whereas the northern pudu is listed as Data Deficient on the IUCN Red List. They are distinct from chevrotains, which are smaller animals that are not considered true deer.