Sri Lankan Axis Deer

The Sri Lankan Axis Deer (axis axis ceylonensis) or Ceylon Spotted Deer is a subspecies of axis deer (axis axis) that inhabits only Sri Lanka. It is called Thith Muwa in Sinhala and Pulli Maan in Tamil. The name chital is not used in Sri Lanka although it is the name used throughout the sub continent. The Sri Lankan Axis Deer is the only other subspecies of the chital deer other than the Indian Chital (axis axis axis). It belongs to the Cervidae family under the Artiodactyla order.

Description

The axis deer’s coat is pinkish 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 centimeters. Compared to the hog deer, its close relative, the chital has a more cursorial build, its antler pedicles are proportionally short and its auditory bullae are smaller. It also has large nasals. It stands about 90 centimeters tall at the shoulder and masses about 85 kilograms, although males tend to be larger than females. Its lifespan is around 8–14 years.

Habitat and Diet

These deer are mostly in the Dry Zone and inhabit lowland dry forests, savannas, and shrub lands. Very rarely, these deer inhabit dry mountain areas. The Sri Lankan axis deer eats primarily grasses, but it also eats fallen fruits and leaves. They graze closely with langur, peacock, wild buffalo, and sambar.

Behaviour

They are active primarily during early morning and again during the evening, but they are commonly observed near waterholes anytime. They usually live in groups of between 10-60 animals, though herds may include up to 100 animals. The chital has a protracted breeding season due in part to the tropical climate, and births can occur throughout the year. Males sporting hard antlers are dominant over those in velvet or those without antlers, irrespective of their size and other factors. Stags commonly bellow during the rut. Hinds birth one fawn, rarely two, at a time. Chital are generally silent when grazing together. They do however make high-pitched chuckles when walking. When grazing chital do a "courtesy posture" when they pass each other. When alarmed, chital will bark. When in danger, they run in groups. They will make bursts of high-speed running and then soon tire and dive into heavy cover to hide.

Conservation

Unlike the mainland axis deer (Axis axis) which is plentiful, Sri Lankan axis deer populations are considered to be vulnerable. Threats include hunting for meat and deforestation. Historically, axis deer were found in very large numbers in the entire dry zone of Sri Lanka, but these numbers have been significantly reduced. Axis deer are important prey for the Sri Lankan leopard as well as for sloth bears and jackals. Today several thousands of these deer are found in Sri Lanka. Sri Lankan axis deer are mainly found in protected areas in the dry zone, with a small number of herds living outside the protected forest areas. Large herds can be found only in protected areas.