Axis Deer
Axis DeerAxis DeerAxis DeerAxis Deer

Axis Deer

Axis axis

Silhouette: Steven Traver · PhyloPic

Least ConcernNear ThreatenedVulnerableEndangeredCritically Endangered
Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely
at Keoladeo National Park
149 Verified sightings at Keoladeo National Park From 2019 to 2026
2,076 Verified sightings across all 22 parks From 2019 to 2026
October Best month highest sighting rate
☀️ Diurnal When it's spotted during daytime hours (6am–6pm)

About the Axis Deer

The chital (Axis axis; ), also called spotted deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderate-sized deer, male chital reach 90 cm (35 in) and females 70 cm (28 in) at the shoulder. While males weigh 70–90 kg (150–200 lb), females weigh around 40–60 kg (88–132 lb). It is sexually dimorphic; males are larger than females, and antlers are present only on males. The upper parts are golden to rufous, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 m (3 ft 3 in) long.

The vernacular name "chital" (pronounced ) comes from cītal (Hindi: चीतल), derived from the Sanskrit word citrala (चित्रल), meaning "variegated" or "spotted". The name of the cheetah has a similar origin. Variations of "chital" include "cheetal" and "cheetul". Other common names for the chital are Indian spotted deer (or simply the spotted deer) and axis deer.

The chital was first described by Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777 as Cervus axis. In 1827, Charles Hamilton... Wikipedia →

Closest Relatives at Keoladeo National Park

Sambar
VU

Sambar

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rusa unicolor

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Barasingha
VU

Barasingha

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Rucervus duvaucelii

Daily sighting probability Insufficient data
Nilgai
LC

Nilgai

🌅 Crepuscular Mammal

Boselaphus tragocamelus

Daily sighting probability ~80% · Very likely
Wild Boar
LC

Wild Boar

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Sus scrofa

Daily sighting probability ~50% · Likely
Blackbuck
LC

Blackbuck

☀️ Diurnal Mammal

Antilope cervicapra

Daily sighting probability ~30% · Possible

Global Distribution

Warmer areas are where this animal is recorded most often.

Parks Where Found

# Park Country Daily sighting probability
1 Wilpattu National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~90%
2 Ranthambore National Park 🇮🇳 India
~90%
3 Mudumalai National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
4 Yala National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~80%
5 Chitwan National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
~80%
6 Nagarhole National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
7 Keoladeo National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
8 Bandipur National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
9 Kanha National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
10 Bandhavgarh National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
11 Gir National Park 🇮🇳 India
~80%
12 Sundarbans National Park 🇮🇳 India
~70%
13 Jim Corbett National Park 🇮🇳 India
~70%
14 Royal Bardia National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
~60%
15 El Palmar National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
~40%
16 Satpura National Park 🇮🇳 India
~40%
17 Minneriya National Park 🇱🇰 Sri Lanka
~30%
18 Iberá National Park 🇦🇷 Argentina
~10%
19 Periyar National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
20 Manas National Park 🇮🇳 India
Insufficient data
21 Langtang National Park 🇳🇵 Nepal
Insufficient data
22 Blue Mountains National Park 🇦🇺 Australia
Insufficient data

Quick answers

What are the chances of seeing a Axis Deer in Keoladeo National Park?

About 80% of wildlife watchers report a Axis Deer sighting in Keoladeo National Park, based on 149 verified sightings from GBIF citizen-science data.

When is the best time to see Axis Deer in Keoladeo National Park?

October has the highest sighting rate for Axis Deer in Keoladeo National Park in our monthly data.

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