Chital Axis axis, also known as spotted deer and axis deer, is native to the Indian subcontinent. A full grown male, or stag, reaches nearly 90 cm at the shoulder, weighing as much as 75 kg. Its antlers are three pronged and extend to a meter in length. The upper parts of its body are golden, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. 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. When alarmed by the presence of a predator chital flee in groups, instead of scattering, barking persistently. Predators in the Gir forest are mainly Asiatic lions, leopards, and Indian rock pythons. Grazers as well as browsers, the chital mainly feed on fresh grass when available and during shortage, browse on a variety of plants. Water holes are visited nearly twice daily, with great caution. The chital are found in large numbers in a variety of habitat like dense deciduous forests, semi evergreen forests and open grassland. A chital stag is seen here feeding on the mineral rich soil, at a natural salt lick beside a stream bed. Salt is needed to create the hydrochloric acid, which is essential for digestion of food in the stomach.
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