Typical forest deer with shaggy, dark brown coat and large spreading antlers. India's largest deer species. females lighter and less shaggy. Sambar form the preferred prey base for tigers . (Source: A Field Guide to Indian Mammals, Vivek Menon)
Scientific Name
:
Cervus unicolor/ Rusa unicolor
Phylum
:
Chordata
Class
:
Mammalia
Order
:
Artiodactyla
Family
:
Cervidae
Genus
:
Cervus
Species
:
unicolor
Vernacular Name
:
Mlavu
Life Span
:
10-15 years in the wild.
Weight
:
225-320kg; Height at shoulder ~150cm
Reproduction
:
Gestation period of around 260 days, and an oestrus cycle of 21-24 days
Fascinating Facts
:
Alarm call is a loud "dhonk". Stags fight each other during rutting season for territory and thereby access to females. During rut, the antlers are covered in a soft skin known as velvet, which dries and is shed in a few months. Antlers are usually cast between the end of March and mid-April
Habits
:
Mixed deciduous forest and grassland shrub
Food Habits
:
Herbivore, Ruminant - Grass, leaves and various wild fruits.
