Deer, Axis

Physical Features

The Axis Deer is a large, spotted deer. It has yellowish-brown to rufous-brown upperparts, which are abundantly spotted with white spots. Its abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs and ears, and the underside of its tail are all white in color. There is a dark stripe running from its nape close to the tip of its tail. It has three tines on every antler. The brow tine forms almost a right angle with the beam and the front tine of the terminal fork. The terminal fork is longer than the hind tine. A gland-bearing cleft is present on the front of the pastern of the hind foot. The Axis Deer has an average body length of 1.7m and a shoulder height of 0.9m. The females are smaller than the males and lack antlers. Males weigh between 30-75kg whereas females weigh 24-45kg.

Habitat

The Axis Deer occupy secondary forestlands separated by glades, with undergrowth of grasses, forbs, and tender shoots, which provide sufficient drinking water and shade. Axis Deer avoid rugged terrain. They are native to India where they go by the name 'Chital'. They were introduced into Texas in 1932 and in 1988, free-ranging herds were established in 27 counties of central and southern Texas. The deer is also a confined animal on ranches in 67 other counties.

Diet

Axis Deer mostly feed on grasses that are less than 10 cm high such as paspalum, switchgrass, and little bluestem but can also browse on live oak, hackberry, and sumac. Their favorite food in spring is Sedges.

Meat

Axis Deer meat is low in fat, calories and cholesterol. Venison is a dark red meat and more richly flavored than beef with a distinct gamey taste. Deer meat provided one of the important sources of protein for the Native Americans and early European settlers. Their hides were used in making buckskin jackets, moccasins and other leather items.

Behavior

Axis Deer have a breeding pattern that is similar to that in domestic cattle. Although, the major breeding season runs from mid-May through August with a peak in June-July, bucks in rutting condition may be found throughout the year with each having its own reproductive cycle rather than a synchronized one with other bucks and females also experience a 3-week estrous cycles throughout the year. The bucks do not collect or retain harems of does, but rather seek out and service the does in each herd as they become receptive. They have a gestation period of 210-238 days giving birth to one fawn. Females mate in the subsequent breeding period after giving birth and therefore tend to produce one fawn each year. Although the fawns begin eating green forage by 5½ weeks of age, weaning is delayed until 4-6 months. They have a lifespan of 9-13 years but in rare cases may reach 18-22 years of age.

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