Huemul, Guia de Fauna. RutaChile

Familia: Cervidae
Genero: Hippocamelus
Nombre Cientifico: bisulcus

Common name: Huemul



Scientific name: Hippocamelus bisulcus



Class: Mammalia



The huemul is a symbol of our national shield, and today is a species decimated after years of hunting.



The Chilean huemul or South is one of the least known mammals of our wildlife. Its a deer that has a coat of dark brown, slightly mixed with yellow, dense, heavy, pneumatic (air inside) and somewhat oily. This allows you to easily swim in the cold waters of glacial lakes, rivers, streams and also protects and shelters the rigorous winter weather (and especially the strong winds that increase the cooling conditions). The coat is shed twice a year: in autumn and spring. Its color makes it easy to blend in with the rocks, soil, brush and logs.



The male can reach a size of 90 to 100 cm at the withers and weigh, and even exceed 90 kg. and they have a body size and weight more than females. They have a height of 80 cm and a weight of up to 65 kg.



Pups are born weighing up to 3.5 kg. The ears are striking for their long (up to 25 cm) and constant mobility.



Like all deer, only the male huemul has antlers, which consists of two pairs of antlers that branch at the base. The antlers, which is changed every year, it appears at the beginning of winter and spring growth of a new beginning.



Originally, the huemul lived from the central area to Magellan, along the foothills and mountains of the Andes, mountainous and coastal areas of the southern tip.



Currently, you can only find in a small area huemules Nevados de Chillan (Region VIII) in certain sectors of the X Andean Region and in certain areas of Aysén (XI Region) and Magallanes (XII Region).




The huemul is one of the few animals that can suffer from "stress" ... before an imminent risk can sit still and scared ..., there your heart will not resist and goes to die. There have been cases of huemules lakes that are thrown before a danger, preferring drowning. Others remain quiet although the hazard no longer exists

Countries where lives Huemul

ARGENTINA     CHILE