| Scientific Name
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Cervus axis
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| Classification
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Classification: Phylum Chordata, Class Mammalia, Order Artiodactyla, Family Cervidae
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| Status
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Stable however, because they are indifferent to the presence of human beings there has been a significant reduction in their numbers.
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| Range
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India, Nepal and Sri Lanka
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| Habitat
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Lowland plains and lower hills.
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| Diet
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They eat grasses, leaves, fallen flowers, and fruits.
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| Size
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Height: 2-3 ¼ feet tall at the shoulder
Length: 1.7 m
Weight: 100 - 250 lbs.
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| Lifespan
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9 - 13 years.
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| Location
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Print Fact Sheet
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Axis Deer
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Special Features
Considered by many to be the most beautiful deer in the world. The Axis Deer is small and graceful. Their beauty is not in their antlers but in their coats which is a yellowish brown, dappled profusely with white spots which they will keep their entire lives.
Whenever possible, they forage below troops of langurs (monkeys), who knock fruits to the ground in their own search for food. The langurs also give warning calls when predators approach, providing an early warning for the deer.
They have many predators, including leopards, wild dogs, crocodiles, pythons, and wild hogs.
Because of their beautiful spotted coats, Axis Deer have attracted the attention of many travelers, who have introduced them into different places.
In New Zealand, they reproduced so quickly that they became a danger to native plants and wildlife, and had to be exterminated. They are still a threat to native ecosystems in Hawaii.
They can usually be found near a stream with a ravine shelter. It is a good swimmer with no fear of water.
Anatomically, axis deer are more closely allied to the North American elk than to our native deer.
Social Structure & Behavior
These animals are gregarious and usually found in herds ranging from a few animals to 100 or more. In each herd the leader is usually an old experienced doe. Adult male axis deer normally are found living with herds of young and old animals of both sexes.
Axis deer are more nocturnal than most deer, usually feeding for four hours after sunrise. Then they seek out water and rest in the shade during the midday heat, returning to feed a few hours before sunset. They do not attempt to establish territories. Like our elk, rutting male axis deer emit bugle-like bellows, and both sexes have alarm calls or barks.
Breeding and Care of Young
Axis deer mate mainly in the winter in the northern part of India. Even so so fawns can be seen at all times of the year.
During rut, mating season, males defend females. When several males in rut meet they display and spar with their antlers to establish a rank order. Large males with long antlers usually rank highest and gain access to more females.
Gestation is 8-8 1/2 months, with the females usually giving birth to a single fawn. Twins are possible but very rare. After giving birth a female leaves her fawn in dense cover while she forages nearby, occasionally returning to let the fawn nurse. The fawn soon becomes strong enough to roam with the herd.
Fawns begin eating green forage by 5 ½ weeks of age, but weaning is delayed until 4-6 months.
Many fawns leave their mother when they are 1 year old, but young females may stay with their mother up to 2 years.
Adult size is reached at 6 years for females and 4-5 years for males. Most do not breed until 14-17 months of age.
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