Details
Axis axis
Chital is a spotted South Asian deer that forms conspicuous herds along woodland and grassland edges. Where introduced, it can affect vegetation and native wildlife.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It inhabits deciduous forest, woodland edges, grassland, and open areas near water on the Indian subcontinent. Main habitat types in this guide are forest, grassland.
Typical length 110-150 cm, weight 30 kg-75 kg. A reddish coat with white spots and three-tined antlers in males are typical.
It is diurnal and a herd-forming species. Herds graze and browse while responding to alarm calls from deer and other animals such as langurs.
It is herbivorous. Grasses, leaves, fallen fruit, and shoots are eaten.
Females bear single fawns whose spotted coat helps them hide in cover.
Although still widespread in places, it remains sensitive to habitat change. Where introduced, it can affect vegetation and native wildlife.
