Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. The chital deer or cheetal was also known as spotted deer or axis deer. It is a large species of deer, which has a particularly elegant and charming appearance. 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. Omissions? The antlers are carried low, and have a strong front prong; the backwards-pointing prong is long and ends in a fork. The nose and eyes are dark in color; the eyelashes are long and especially noticeable on this deer. /*footer link color*/a.footer {color: #D1B180;}/*footer hover link color*/a.footer:hover {color: #D1C580;}. 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 western limit of its range is eastern Rajasthan and Gujarat. Chital, also called Spotted Deer, or Axis Deer, (Cervus axis, sometimes Axis axis), Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). Its spotted coat is reddish brown above and white below. Here you’ll find informative articles about the biology, habitat, habits of deer. Males are larger in size than the females and have thicker necks and chests. Chital, also called Spotted Deer, or Axis Deer, (Cervus axis, sometimes Axis axis), Asiatic deer, belonging to the family Cervidae (order Artiodactyla). 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. It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more. Premium Membership is now 50% off! Today the Axis Deer can be found in many countries around the world. 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. 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. Axis deer are relatively high legged, with thick necks and long heads. There is also a dark black stripe that runs down the spine. It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more. It lives in grasslands and forests in India and Sri Lanka in herds of up to 100 or more. The eastern limit of its range is through western Assam to the Sunderbansof West Bengal (India) and Bangla… Most of the Axis deer’s population is concentrated in the forests of India. Axis Deer occur throughout the Indian subcontinent and the island of Sri Lanka. © Copyright 2020 WorldDeer.org. All Rights Reserved. Only the males carry antlers. 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 Axis deer also prefer open grasslands and semi-evergreen forests. They are abundant in India and one of the most common species of deer found there. The coat of the Axis axis is distinctive. The species was first described by German naturalist Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. The horn of bovids consists of a hollow, unbranched horny sheath (formed of modified skin like fingernails and toenails) that fits…. Our editors will review what you’ve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. Updates? 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. 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. 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. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). It stands 90–95 cm (35–37 inches) at the shoulder. The muzzle and face is often darker in color than the body, and sometimes the Chital Deer’s face has black markings. 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. Can be found in many countries around the world where they are abundant in India and Sri Lanka in of... 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