Males are darker in color, especially around the head and face, and this darkening becomes more pronounced with age. It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more. Axis Deer occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri Lanka. The antlers are usually shed annually, but because this is a tropical living species, in its native climate there is no specific season in which they are lost. The chital ranges over 8–30°N in India and through Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, and Sri Lanka. They have also been introduced into a number of European countries, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. It is a large species of deer, which has a particularly elegant and charming appearance. We also try to answer common questions about deer. Here you’ll find informative articles about the biology, habitat, habits of deer. The muzzle and face is often darker in color than the body, and sometimes the Chital Deer’s face has black markings. Updates? Chital, also called Spotted Deer, or Axis Deer, (Cervus axis, sometimes Axis axis), Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). Large numbers of Chital Deer are kept in the United States, especially in Texas, where they are used on hunting ranches. The major area of their distribution is Sri Lanka and India, though they are introduced to USA and Australia as well.They tend to live in shady areas with heavy and dense forests. Today the Axis Deer can be found in many countries around the world. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Only the males carry antlers. /*footer link color*/a.footer {color: #D1B180;}/*footer hover link color*/a.footer:hover {color: #D1C580;}. It stands 90–95 cm (35–37 inches) at the shoulder. Axis deer are relatively high legged, with thick necks and long heads. The western limit of its range is eastern Rajasthan and Gujarat. © Copyright 2020 WorldDeer.org. Its spotted coat is reddish brown above and white below. Corrections? Most of the Axis deer’s population is concentrated in the forests of India. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Black Friday Sale! The horn of bovids consists of a hollow, unbranched horny sheath (formed of modified skin like fingernails and toenails) that fits…. All Rights Reserved. The chital deer or cheetal was also known as spotted deer or axis deer. Axis Deer The Axis Deer (Axis axis), which is sometimes called the Chital Deer or Spotted Deer is a beautiful species of deer native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. Males are larger in size than the females and have thicker necks and chests. Premium Membership is now 50% off! The Axis deer also prefer open grasslands and semi-evergreen forests. The nose and eyes are dark in color; the eyelashes are long and especially noticeable on this deer. It stands 90–95 cm (35–37 inches) at the shoulder. The male chital has branching, usually three-tined antlers up to 100 cm long. In Europe numbers are small, mainly because they are not particularly hardy and suffer in the cold winters that occur there. Typically the Axis Deer’s antlers have only three tines each, meaning that is total the antlers have 6 tines, but the rack is still quite impressive. There is also a dark black stripe that runs down the spine. The Axis Deer (Axis axis), which is sometimes called the Chital Deer or Spotted Deer is a beautiful species of deer native to India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, and Bangladesh. The eastern limit of its range is through western Assam to the Sunderbansof West Bengal (India) and Bangla… The antlers are carried low, and have a strong front prong; the backwards-pointing prong is long and ends in a fork. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). The female collared peccary (, A study of the chital deer showed that antlers increase in size up to the seventh year, remain at a constant size until the ninth year, then decline. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. It is an adaptable deer that is prized by hunters, and as such, it has been imported and introduced in many locations including Hawaii and Texas in the United States, and in countries such as Australia and Croatia. The species was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more. This article was most recently revised and updated by. In most deer it is a rich dark brown color with numerous dramatic white spots running in rows along the deer’s body to its flanks. These grow in a lyre like shape and can be up to 76 cm long. Today the Axis Deer can be found in many countries around the world. They are abundant in India and one of the most common species of deer found there. WorldDeer.org was launched in 2005 and has evolved over the past 15 years to feature some of the best information about deer on the web. The female chital, or axis deer, for example, remains near a patch of dense bush and high grass to which she can retreat if endangered. The tail of the Axis Deer is long and has a white underside. The under parts, insides of the legs, and the lower throat are white. The northern limit is along the Bhabar-terai belt of the foothills of the Himalaya and from Uttar Pradesh and Uttaranchal through to Nepal, northern West Bengal and Sikkim and then to western Assam and the forested valleys of Bhutan, which are below 1,100 m asl. The coat of the Axis axis is distinctive. Axis Deer are also commonly known as Chital Deer or simply as the Spotted Deer. Omissions? Chital, also called Spotted Deer, or Axis Deer, (Cervus axis, sometimes Axis axis), Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more.