Axis Deer
General Characteristics
Axis Deer are also commonly known as Chital or as the Spotted Deer. Axis deer are relatively high legged, with thick necks and long heads. Males are larger in size than the females and have thicker necks and chests. The coat is a rich dark brown colored with numerous white spots running in rows along the flanks. The under parts, insides of the legs, and the lower throat are white. The tail is long and has a white underside. Only the males carry antlers. The antlers are usually shed annually, but because this is a tropical living species there is no specific season in which they are lost.
Conservation Status
The Axis numbers have become stable, but they may become threatened in the future because of increased hunting and a loss of habitat caused by the need for more agricultural land to feed the Indian population.
Distribution
Axis deer occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri Lanka. They are abundant in India and one of the most common species of deer found there. Ecology and Behavior
They are a social species, living in small herds of 20 to 30 animals. Sometimes larger herds may form with up to 100 animals, but these are quite rare. Herds are led by a few dominant individuals who decide where the herd will feed and rest. Older males tend to be more solitary
They are often fairly tolerant of approach by humans and vehicles, especially where they are accustomed to human disturbance. They do not occur at higher elevation forests where they are usually replaced by other species such as the Sambar Deer. Chital eat primarily grasses and vegetation, but also eat their shed antlers as a source of nutrients.
Axis Deer are also commonly known as Chital or as the Spotted Deer. Axis deer are relatively high legged, with thick necks and long heads. Males are larger in size than the females and have thicker necks and chests. The coat is a rich dark brown colored with numerous white spots running in rows along the flanks. The under parts, insides of the legs, and the lower throat are white. The tail is long and has a white underside. Only the males carry antlers. The antlers are usually shed annually, but because this is a tropical living species there is no specific season in which they are lost.
Conservation Status
The Axis numbers have become stable, but they may become threatened in the future because of increased hunting and a loss of habitat caused by the need for more agricultural land to feed the Indian population.
Distribution
Axis deer occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri Lanka. They are abundant in India and one of the most common species of deer found there. Ecology and Behavior
They are a social species, living in small herds of 20 to 30 animals. Sometimes larger herds may form with up to 100 animals, but these are quite rare. Herds are led by a few dominant individuals who decide where the herd will feed and rest. Older males tend to be more solitary
They are often fairly tolerant of approach by humans and vehicles, especially where they are accustomed to human disturbance. They do not occur at higher elevation forests where they are usually replaced by other species such as the Sambar Deer. Chital eat primarily grasses and vegetation, but also eat their shed antlers as a source of nutrients.