brown-deer-on-brown-soil
The chital, or spotted deer, is the most abundant and widespread deer species in the Indian subcontinent and a keystone prey species for tigers and leopards. Easily identified by its bright rufous coat covered in white spots, the chital lives in herds in dry deciduous forests and grasslands. It has a commensal relationship with langur monkeys, often feeding on fruit dropped by the monkeys from the tree canopy.
Average Length
1.4 m
Average Weight
75 kg
Lifespan
8-14 years
Top Speed
65 km/h
Quick Facts
Chital retain their white spots throughout life, unlike most other deer species.
They are the most common and numerous deer species in India.
Chital often follow langur monkeys to eat fruit dropped from trees.
Bandipur National Park hosts some of the largest chital herds in the world.
Habitat & Range
Habitats
Regions
Behavior & Reproduction
Activity Pattern
Diurnal
Social Structure
Mixed herds of 10-50 individuals
Gestation Period
7 months
Litter Size
1
Predators
Tigers, Leopards, Dholes, Crocodiles
Found in Parks
Jim Corbett National Park
Uttarakhand
Ranthambore National Park
Rajasthan
Kanha National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Pench National Park
Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra
Mudumalai National Park
Tamil Nadu
Sariska Tiger Reserve
Rajasthan
Bandipur National Park
Karnataka
Melghat Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Kuno National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Nagarhole National Park
Karnataka
Bandhavgarh National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve
Maharashtra
Gir National Park
Gujarat
Dudhwa National Park
Uttar Pradesh
Panna National Park
Madhya Pradesh
Rajaji National Park
Uttarakhand