Sri lankan axis deer
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| Chital | ||||||||||||||||||
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| Axis axis ceylonensis |
The Srilankan axis deer (Axis axis ceylonensis) or Ceylon Spotted Deer is a Sub-species of axis deer (Axis axis) that inhabits only Srilanka. The name chital is never used in srilanka.
[edit] Food
Spotted deer are active primarily during early morning and again during the evening, but they are commonly observed near waterholes anytime. The Sri Lankan axis deer eats primarily grasses, but it also Eats fallen fruits and leaves. The Sri Lankan axis deer graze closely with langur, peacock, wild buffalo and sambar.It usually lives in groups of between 10-60 animals, though herds sometimes include up to 100 animals.
Axis deer is important prey for the Sri lankan leopard. It also prey for sloth bear and jackal. The civet, a wild cat, sometimes prays on calves.
[edit] Habitat Range and Conservation Status
These deer inhabit lowland dry forests, savannas, and shrub lands. Vary rarely, these deer inhabit dry mountain areas.
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 entire dry zone of Sri Lanka, but these numbers have been significantly reduced. 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.
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