What's the difference between venado and ciervo?

Question

I am telling an African story to a bilingual audience. The story speaks of a "Little Bush Deer" that actually climbs up a tree. I was wondering if "ciervo" or "venado" would be more appropriate translation. I'm thinking of setting the story in the Caribbean as many West African stories migrated there. So I thought it might be good to find out which of these two Spanish words is more used in the Caribbean?

Thank you!

Answer 1

If you look in the dictionary venado can be used for deer or venison (meat), but ciervo only for deer. I'd go with ciervo to avoid any possible reference to venison.