Introduction of Spotted Deer
Spotted Deer or Chital deer is the most common native deer species in the Indian subcontinent.
Spotted Deers are found in numbers in India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
It is also called Axis Deer or Asiatic Deer.
Many predators primarily hunt Spotted Deer as a food source. Because of their gazing habit, this species also control vegetation growth.
According to the IUCN Red List assessment, Spotted Deer are categorised as Least concerned.
Chital can run up to 65 km / hrs speed
Scientific Name of Spotted Deer
Axis Axis or Cervus Axis
Physical Description of Spotted Deer
The Spotted Deer has a reddish-brown coat above and a white underbelly.
Both the genders have small white spots on the body, hence named Spotted or Chital.
Spotted Deers are sexually dimorphic. Males are significantly larger than females, and only male deers possess antlers.
A male adult stands 90 cm - 95 cm at the shoulder, whereas a female can go up to 70 cm.
Male chitals can grow up to 6 ft in length.
The male Spotted Deer can weigh from 66 kg to 113 kg, while the female Spotted Deer can weigh between 43 kg – and 66 kg.
The curved, three-pronged antlers of the Spotted Deer can extend up to 100 cm long.
Life Cycle of Spotted Deer
The lifespan of a spotted deer can range up to 9 - 13 years in its natural habitat, while they can reach up to 18 to 25 years in captivity.
The reproductive activity of Spotted Deer occurs year-round.
The average gestation period of Spotted Deer is 210 to 238 days, usually giving birth to one fawn per female.
If a fawn dies during the birth year, the mother can breed again to give birth to second fawns.
Fawns stay hidden in the bush for about a week, then join the herd.
Characteristics of Spotted Deer
Often they gaze near trees where monkeys are present. It is mainly because monkeys drop their half-eaten fruits and leaves, and higher positions of money on the tree act as an additional alarm about approaching predators.
The Spotted Deer’s predators include lion, tiger, rock python, crocodile, and wild dogs.
Most of their predators are active during dawn and dusk. Hence during the high sun, they generally took refuge under shades and relaxed.
The Spotted Deer is found in small herds of 20 – 30 individuals. However, packs of 100 or more have also been observed.
There are mainly three types of herds. Small family group. The large female group with one or two dominant male, and male bachelor groups.
A large herd of a Spotted Deer usually consists of two or more family groups. Therefore, the herd size and members of Spotted Deer do not remain permanent.
They have different vocalisations for various situations, such as barking when alarmed, bellowing during the breeding season, and squealing by fawns when separated from their mothers.
In a group, members periodically perform active sentry roles.
Spotted Deer are not territorial, but males fight over the possession of females.
Diet of Spotted Deer
They are herbivores with their diet consisting of vegetation and grasses, fruits, and shrubs.
Spotted Deer are also observed to ingest their shed antlers. Antlers are high in nutritional value and hence complement their dietary requirements.
