Chital: Difference between revisions
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{{Taxobox |
{{Taxobox |
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| name = |
| name = Axis Deer |
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| status = LC |
| status = LC |
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| status_system = iucn3.1 |
| status_system = iucn3.1 |
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| binomial_authority = ([[Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben|Erxleben]], [[1777]]) |
| binomial_authority = ([[Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben|Erxleben]], [[1777]]) |
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The ''' |
The '''axis deer''' or '''spotted deer''' (''Axis axis'')<ref name=msw3>{{MSW3 Grubb|id=14200344}}</ref>, also known as '''chital deer''', '''cheetal''' or just '''chital''' is a [[deer]] which commonly inhabits wooded regions of [[Sri Lanka]], [[Nepal]], [[Bangladesh]], and most of [[India]]. It is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its coat is reddish fawn, marked with white spots, and its underparts are white. Its antlers, which it sheds annually, are usually three-pronged and curve in a [[lyre]] shape and may extend to 75 cm. It has a protracted breeding season due in part to the tropical climate, and births can occur throughout the year. For this reason, males do not have their antler cycles in synchrony and there are some fertile females at all times of the year. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size and other factors. A chital stands about 90 cm tall at the shoulder and masses about 85 kg. Lifespan is around 20-30 years. |
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==Ecology and lifestyle== |
==Ecology and lifestyle== |
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[[Image:Chital herd.jpg|thumb|left|Herd of |
[[Image:Chital herd.jpg|thumb|left|Herd of Axis Deer in the wild]] |
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Axis deer most commonly occur in herds of ten to fifty individuals, with one or two [[stag]]s and a number of females and young. They are often fairly tolerant of approach by humans and vehicles, especially where they are accustomed to human disturbance. They do not occur at higher elevation forests where they are usually replaced by other species such as the [[Sambar deer]]. Chital eat primarily [[grass]]es and [[vegetation]], but also eat their shed antlers as a source of nutrients. |
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==Interspecies interaction== |
==Interspecies interaction== |
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[[Image:AxisDeer1.jpg|thumb|left|180px| |
[[Image:AxisDeer1.jpg|thumb|left|180px|Axis Deer grazing.]] |
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An interesting relationship has been observed between herds of |
An interesting relationship has been observed between herds of axis deer and troops of the [[Northern Plains Gray Langur]] (''Presbytis entellus''), a widespread leaf-eating monkey taxon of South Asia. Chital apparently benefit from the langurs' good eyesight and ability to post a lookout in a treetop, helping to raise the alarm when a predator approaches. For the langurs' part, the axis deer's superior sense of smell would seem to assist in early predator warning, and it is common to see langurs foraging on the ground in the presence of the axis deer. The axis deer also benefit from fruits dropped by the langurs from trees such as ''[[Terminalia bellerica]]'' and ''[[Phyllanthus emblica]]''.<ref>Prasad, S.; R. Chellam; J. Krishaswamy & S. P. Goyal (2004) Frugivory of ''Phyllanthus emblica'' at Rajaji National Park, northwest India. Current Science 87(9):1188-1190 [http://www.iisc.ernet.in/currsci/nov102004/1188.pdf pdf]</ref> [[Alarm calls]] of either species can be indicative of the presence of a predator such as a [[Bengal Tiger|tiger]].{{Fact|date=September 2007}} |
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==Miscellaneous== |
==Miscellaneous== |
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<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Tigress Spotted dear.jpg|left|thumb|180px|<div style="text-align: center;border:none">A [[Bengal tiger]] with |
<!-- Deleted image removed: [[Image:Tigress Spotted dear.jpg|left|thumb|180px|<div style="text-align: center;border:none">A [[Bengal tiger]] with Axis deer kill</div>]] --> |
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The |
The Axis deer is called ''Jinke'' in Kannada, ''Pulli Maan'' in Tamil, ''Duppi'' in Telugu, ''Phutuki Horin'' in Assamese and ''Hiran'' in Hindi (ultimately derived from ''Harini'', the Sanskrit root word for 'deer'). |
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It has been introduced to [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], [[Point Reyes National Seashore]] near [[San Francisco]], California, [[Texas]] and [[Florida]] as well as [[Hawaii]] in the [[United States]]. |
It has been introduced to [[Queensland]], [[Australia]], [[Point Reyes National Seashore]] near [[San Francisco]], California, [[Texas]] and [[Florida]] as well as [[Hawaii]] in the [[United States]]. |
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Revision as of 22:26, 7 December 2008
| Axis Deer | |
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| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | |
| Phylum: | |
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| Genus: | |
| Species: | A. axis
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| Binomial name | |
| Axis axis | |
The axis deer or spotted deer (Axis axis)[1], also known as chital deer, cheetal or just chital is a deer which commonly inhabits wooded regions of Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bangladesh, and most of India. It is the most common deer species in Indian forests. Its coat is reddish fawn, marked with white spots, and its underparts are white. Its antlers, which it sheds annually, are usually three-pronged and curve in a lyre shape and may extend to 75 cm. It has a protracted breeding season due in part to the tropical climate, and births can occur throughout the year. For this reason, males do not have their antler cycles in synchrony and there are some fertile females at all times of the year. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size and other factors. A chital stands about 90 cm tall at the shoulder and masses about 85 kg. Lifespan is around 20-30 years.
Ecology and lifestyle
Axis deer most commonly occur in herds of ten to fifty individuals, with one or two stags and a number of females and young. They are often fairly tolerant of approach by humans and vehicles, especially where they are accustomed to human disturbance. They do not occur at higher elevation forests where they are usually replaced by other species such as the Sambar deer. Chital eat primarily grasses and vegetation, but also eat their shed antlers as a source of nutrients.
Interspecies interaction
An interesting relationship has been observed between herds of axis deer and troops of the Northern Plains Gray Langur (Presbytis entellus), a widespread leaf-eating monkey taxon of South Asia. Chital apparently benefit from the langurs' good eyesight and ability to post a lookout in a treetop, helping to raise the alarm when a predator approaches. For the langurs' part, the axis deer's superior sense of smell would seem to assist in early predator warning, and it is common to see langurs foraging on the ground in the presence of the axis deer. The axis deer also benefit from fruits dropped by the langurs from trees such as Terminalia bellerica and Phyllanthus emblica.[2] Alarm calls of either species can be indicative of the presence of a predator such as a tiger.[citation needed]
Miscellaneous
The Axis deer is called Jinke in Kannada, Pulli Maan in Tamil, Duppi in Telugu, Phutuki Horin in Assamese and Hiran in Hindi (ultimately derived from Harini, the Sanskrit root word for 'deer'). It has been introduced to Queensland, Australia, Point Reyes National Seashore near San Francisco, California, Texas and Florida as well as Hawaii in the United States.
It is hunted for sport and its meat and hide in the United States. Axis meat is 99.8% fat free - making it the leanest meat of any mammal. The taste of the meat is very close to good beef.
See also
References
- ^ Grubb, P. (2005). Wilson, D. E.; Reeder, D. M. (eds.). Mammal Species of the World: A Taxonomic and Geographic Reference (3rd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-8018-8221-4. OCLC 62265494.
- ^ Prasad, S.; R. Chellam; J. Krishaswamy & S. P. Goyal (2004) Frugivory of Phyllanthus emblica at Rajaji National Park, northwest India. Current Science 87(9):1188-1190 pdf
External links
