AXIS DEER
Classification: Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Artiodactyla, Family Cervidae axis
The Axis Deer is the most common deer in India. It is
also called the Indian Deer, Spotted Deer, and Chital Deer.
It is considered by many to be the most beautiful deer in
the world. It is small and graceful. Their beauty is not in
their antlers but in their coat which is a yellowish brown,
dappled profusely with white spots which they will keep
their entire lives.
Status: Stable
Threats to survival: Because they are indifferent to the
presence of human beings there has been a significant
reduction in their numbers.
Habitat: Lowland plains and lower hills.
Range: While native to India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, it has been introduced to other parts of the world.
In the United States they can be found in free-ranging herds in 27 counties in Texas.
Diet in the wild: They eat grasses, leaves, fallen flowers, and fruits.
Height: 2-3 ¼ feet tall at the shoulder
Length: 1.7 m
Weight: 100 - 250 lbs.
Lifespan: 9-13 years.
Special features:
Whenever possible, they forage below troops of langurs (monkeys), who knock fruits to the ground in
their own search for food. The langurs also give warning calls when predators approach, providing an
early warning for the deer.
They have many predators, including leopards, wild dogs, crocodiles, pythons, and wild hogs.
Because of their beautiful spotted coats, Axis Deer have attracted the attention of many travelers, who
have introduced them into different places. In New Zealand, they reproduced so quickly that they
became a danger to native plants and wildlife, and had to be exterminated. They are still a threat to
native ecosystems in Hawaii.
They can usually be found near a stream with a ravine shelter. It is a good swimmer with no fear of
water.
Anatomically, axis deer are more closely allied to the North American elk than to our native deer.
Social Organization and Behavior: These animals are gregarious and usually found in herds ranging
from a few animals to 100 or more. In each herd the leader is usually an old experienced doe. Adult
male axis deer normally are found living with herds of young and old animals of both sexes. Axis deer
are more nocturnal than most deer, usually feeding for four hours after sunrise. Then they seek out water
and rest in the shade during the midday heat, returning to feed a few hours before sunset. They do not
attempt to establish territories. Like our elk, rutting male axis deer emit bugle-like bellows, and both
sexes have alarm calls or barks.
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure 2005
Breeding and Care of Young:
Axis deer mate mainly in the winter in the northern part of India. Even so so fawns can be seen at all
times of the year.
During rut, mating season, males defend females. When several males in rut meet they display and spar
with their antlers to establish a rank order. Large males with long antlers usually rank highest and gain
access to more females.
Gestation is 8-8 1/2 months, with the females usually giving birth to a single fawn. Twins are possible
but very rare. After giving birth a female leaves her fawn in dense cover while she forages nearby,
occasionally returning to let the fawn nurse. The fawn soon becomes strong enough to roam with the
herd.
Fawns begin eating green forage by 5 ½ weeks of age, but weaning is delayed until 4-6 months.
Many fawns leave their mother when they are 1 year old, but young females may stay with their mother
up to 2 years.
Adult size is reached at 6 years for females and 4-5 years for males. Most do not breed until 14-17
months of age.
Rolling Hills Wildlife Adventure 2005