Chital

The chital, or axis deer (Axis axis), is a medium-sized deer native to the Indian subcontinent, distinguished by white spots that remain on its coat throughout life.

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Axis (genus): A genus of deer native to South and Southeast Asia, including the chital. The chital is the genus’s best-known living species.
Deer antler: A branching bony structure that grows from the skulls of most male deer and is shed periodically. Male chital grow and shed antlers in an annual cycle.
Wildlife management: The planned stewardship of wild animal populations and their habitats. Management decisions affect chital abundance, hunting, and habitat protection.
Bengal tiger: A tiger subspecies native to the Indian subcontinent and a major large-carnivore predator there. Chital are among the prey hunted by Bengal tigers.
Cervidae: The mammal family comprising deer, including elk, moose, and muntjacs. The chital belongs to this family of hoofed ruminants.
Ruminant digestion: A digestive process in which microbes ferment plant matter in a multichambered stomach before cud is rechewed. Fermentation helps chital extract nutrients from grasses and leaves.
Introduced species: A species transported by people beyond its native range, intentionally or accidentally. Chital have established populations in places outside South Asia.
Dhole: A social wild dog native to Asia that hunts in packs. Dholes prey on chital, especially where their ranges overlap.
Ruminant: A hoofed mammal that ferments plant food in a specialized stomach and regurgitates cud for further chewing. Its digestive system lets the chital process fibrous vegetation.
Herd behavior: The coordinated movement and social organization of animals living in groups. Chital form groups that can detect danger and move together.