This shy, seldom seen deer is generally solitary or occasionally seen in pairs (6) (7). It feeds predominantly on fruit when available, but will turn to a diet of leaves during periods when fruit is scarce (2) (6). Fungi may also constitute an important part of its diet during the wet season (2). When they sense danger, red brockets have a habit of freezing (7), but they can also run with a leaping gait and, being capable swimmers, will readily take to the water to escape a predator (2) (3). Their dagger-like antlers also makes them capable of damaging combat (3). Calving may take place year round (3) (7), although in some areas there is a peak, such as in Surinam where it mainly takes place from September to April (6). The gestation period is long, lasting from 218 to 228 days (3), and a single young is produced (2). The young deer, which lose their spots after two or three months, mature rapidly and may breed by the age of just 11 months (3). In captivity, an individual lived for over 16 years (7).

The red brocket is the largest of all brocket deer, and also has the greatest range (3). Named for its foxy red coat, this stout-bodied deer with slender limbs has white fur on the inside of the legs, throat, lips, inner part of the ear and the lower part of the tail (3). Young red brockets have whitish spots on their coat (2). Like the majority of deer species (5), male red brockets have antlers, but they are generally only short, dagger-like spikes. These antlers can be shed at any time of the year, and may be kept for over one year (3). Fourteen subspecies of the red brocket are currently recognised (3).

The red brocket deer distribution ranges across northern South America from northern Argentina (Misiones, Salta, Jujuy, Tucumán, Formosa, Chaco and Corrientes), Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Surinam, Trinidad, Tobago, and Venezuela (Emmons and Feer 1997; Reid 1997; Medellín et al. 1998; Juliá and Richard, 2001, Wilson and Redder, 2005).

Red brockets occur from southern Mexico to northern Argentina up to 2000m elevation.

Biogeographic Regions: neotropical (Native )

Occurs in Central and South America, from eastern Mexico and Trinidad south to northern Argentina (6) (7).

Small deer (shoulder height 670-760mm) with chestnut-red body and legs, lighter chestnut belly, and grey head and neck. Males have short, unbranched antlers that are directed backwards. Measurements: Total: 1040-1340mm; Tail: 95-145mm; Hind Foot: 580-800mm; Ear: 86-105mm.

Range mass: 24 to 48 kg.

Habitat and Ecology

Systems

• Terrestrial

These small deer live in dense, moist forest and are found in mature and secondary rainforest, forest edges, gardens, and plantations. Their small size allows them to slip through dense vegetation, and they will readily swim to escape danger.

Terrestrial Biomes: forest ; rainforest ; scrub forest

Brocket deer usually inhabit forests and woodlands from sea level up to 5,000 metres (7). The red brocket appears to prefer fairly dry or moist habitats and generally avoids very wet, flooded areas (6).

Red brocket deer are selective browsers and prefer to feed on fruit. When fruit is not available, leaves are the primary food source. During the wet season, fungimake up a large part of the diet.

Average lifespan

Status: captivity: 13.8 years.

Average lifespan

Status: wild: 12.0 years.

Maximum longevity: 17.1 years (captivity) Observations: In the wild, these animals have been estimated to live up to 12 years (Bernhard Grzimek 1990). One captive specimen lived 17.1 years (Richard Weigl 2005).

In Argentina, red brocket deer reproduce from August to October. In Suriname, does give birth over at least a seven month period, while in Guyana fawning occurs throughout the year. Does typically give birth to one young, but twinning is not uncommon. The gestation period in captivity averages 225 days. Does reach sexual maturity after 13 months, stags are mature at 12 months.

Average birth mass: 538.5 g.

Average gestation period: 225 days.

Average number of offspring: 1.3.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (male)

Sex: male: 365 days.

Average age at sexual or reproductive maturity (female)

Sex: female: 395 days.

Barcode of Life Data Systems (BOLDS) Stats
Public Records: 0
Species: 4
Species With Barcodes: 1

CITES Appendix III in Guyana. Red brocket are widespread and common through much of their range. They are scarce in some areas and are threatened by hunting and deforestation.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: data deficient

Classified as Data Deficient (DD) on the IUCN Red List 2007 (1). Subspecies Mazama americana cerasina is listed on Appendix III of CITES in Guatemala (4).

Population

Population Trend

Major Threats

Although the status of most red brocket subspecies is unknown (6), it is clear that in some areas this species faces threats. The red brocket is hunted for meat throughout much of its range, both for subsistence and for sale, with its meat being found extensively in markets of the larger cities of the Amazon Basin (6). Brocket deer are also hunted by people because of the damage they can do to bean and corn crops (7). In certain areas, such as the densely populated areas of the Amazonian region of Peru, the red brocket deer has been reportedly overhunted, while in others, such as Costa Rica, Paraguay and Venezuela, habitat destruction also threatens this species (6). A combination of hunting and habitat destruction may have caused the red brocket to disappear from El Salvador altogether (7).

Conservation Actions

The red brocket occurs in numerous protected areas throughout its range (6). The IUCN has been unable to determine the conservation status of this species due to a lack of data, and have therefore classified it as Data Deficient (1). Therefore, research is clearly needed to determine the status of each subspecies, and surveys, ecological studies and investigations into the human use of red brocket have all been suggested (6).

They may do some damage to ornamental gardens and plantations planted on the forest edge.

Red brocket are hunted extensively for food.