Chital Axis axis, also known as spotted deer and axis deer, is native to the Indian subcontinent . Males reach nearly 90 cm and females 70 cm at the shoulder. While males weigh 30ââ¬â75 kg, the females weigh 25ââ¬â45 kg. The upper parts of the body are golden, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. Antlers are present only on males and these are three-pronged, nearly 1 meter long and are shed annually. Chital are active throughout the day. In the summer, they rest under shade. They fall asleep a few hours before sunrise, typically in the forest which is cooler than the glades. A gregarious animal, herds can have 5 to 40 members. When cautiously inspecting its vicinity, the chital stands motionless and listens with rapt attention, facing the potential danger, a stance adopted by nearby individuals as well. Chital flee in groups, instead of scattering, barking persistently when alarmed by the presence of a predator. Predators include wolves, tigers, Asiatic lions, leopards, Indian rock pythons, dholes. Red foxes and golden jackals target juveniles. Grazers as well as browsers, the chital mainly feed on grasses throughout the year. Water holes are visited nearly twice daily, with great caution. The chital is found in large numbers in a variety of habitat like dense deciduous forests, semi evergreen forests and open grassland.
|