AXIS DEER

Description: The Axis Deer is often considered the most beautiful deer. Both male and female have striking reddish-brown coats marked by white spots arranged in undisciplined rows, along their sides. They have a white bib on their neck, white inner legs, stomach, and under-tail.

Only the male deer has antlers with three tines on each antler; the brow tine forms nearly a right angle with the beam and the front (or outer) tine of the terminal fork is much longer than the hind (or inner) tine; a gland-bearing cleft is present on the front of the pastern of the hind foot; dark stripe from nape to near tip of tail. The upper canines (the so-called elk teeth) usually lacking.

Size: External measurements average: (males) total length, 1.7 m; tail, 200 mm; height at shoulder, 90 cm; females smaller and usually without antlers. Weight, 30-75 kg in males; 25-45 kg in females.

Life Span: 9 to 13 years

Food: herbivore