Amazonian brown brocket

Scientific name: Mazama nemorivaga

Field notes

Appearance

Small deer with russet to dark-brown coat, often with reddish sheen on the back. Males possess small, unbranched spikes; females are hornless. Distinctive dark hooves with pale undersides.

Size and weight

Males weigh 3.5–4.5 kg, females 3–4 kg; body length 60–77 cm.

Habitat

Moist lowland and foothill forest up to around 1500 m elevation, favouring areas with dense understorey vegetation and proximity to streams. Thrives in primary and secondary forest with thick brush cover.

Distribution

Amazon basin of South America, ranging from western Brazil through Peru and Colombia to Ecuador's borders. Inhabits humid lowland and premontane forest.

Diet

Fallen fruits from forest trees, leafy vegetation, fungi, and grasses; fruit availability varies seasonally and drives dietary preference.

Behaviour

Predominantly crepuscular and nocturnal, especially in areas with human activity. Territorial, typically solitary or paired; mark territory with droppings and scent marks.

Hunting tips

Look for small, round droppings and fine prints in soft earth near streams and fruiting trees. Move slowly through dense understorey at dawn or dusk; these deer are wary and quick to flee. Small home ranges mean repeated scouting of productive areas will yield results.

Carcass weight

This species is logged by carcass weight — the animal weighed dressed, the way hunting teams normally report it.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

Current language: en

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.