World's Smallest Deer Species Born at Queens Zoo

A tiny deer is generating a giant dose of cuteness in New York City.

The Wildlife Conservation Society sent out a baby announcement Monday. It's a boy!

The southern pudu fawn — the world's smallest deer species — was born May 12 at the Queens Zoo.

The fawn is still nursing but soon will be munching on leaves, grain, kale, carrots and hay.

The white spots on his soft brown fur will disappear as he grows up.

In his case, though, "growing up" won't be much of a vertical process. Southern pudus tend to be around a foot tall at the shoulder.

When they're born, they're only 6 inches high — and weigh less than a pound.

This tiny deer isn't the first of its kind to be born at the Queens Zoo. In 2013, a Southern pudu female fawn was born at the zoo, and in 2014, another female fawn was born. 

The Southern pudu, native to Chile and Argentina, is 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.

They 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.

Scientists from The Wildlife Conservation Society that runs the zoo are working to help preserve the deer's native South American habitats.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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