The Indian deer, belonging to the family Cervidae, is a hoofed ruminant ungulate found across various regions of India. Classified into subfamilies Cervinae, these deer are characterized by their annual growth and shedding of antlers. Both male deer of nearly all species and female reindeer undergo this cycle, with antlers serving as bony extensions of the skull, often utilized in combat between males.

Throughout history, Indian deer have been depicted in art, beginning from Paleolithic cave paintings. They hold significance in mythology, religion, and literature, symbolizing various qualities and attributes. Economically, these deer are valued for their meat, known as venison, their skins, which are used to produce soft and durable buckskin, and their antlers, commonly utilized as knife handles.

Deer hunting, while historically a popular activity since the Middle Ages, has faced restrictions and prohibitions in order to conserve rare and endangered species. This conservation effort aims to safeguard the diverse population of Indian deer, ensuring their continued presence in the ecosystem.

Physical Characteristics of Indian Deer
The Indian deer is among the most elegant wild creatures in existence. Deer comes within the order of Artiodactyls, also known as even-toed ungulates, and are categorized as ruminant ungulates. This classification indicates that they swallow their food and then regurgitate semi-digested cud to maximize nutrient absorption.

A defining characteristic of almost every deer species is their extended head appendages known as antlers. These antlers undergo a gradual growth process after each shedding, starting with a soft, shiny, velvety coat and eventually developing into the mature form, which is a fascinating feature of this taxon. Composed of bone and well-supplied with blood vessels, antlers are susceptible to breakage. In contrast, horns are made of keratin and are permanent, whereas antlers are shed and regrown annually.

Types of Indian Deer
The Indian subcontinent hosts one of the most successful and widely distributed faunas, with deer being among its prominent inhabitants. These creatures primarily dwell in wooded areas with rugged terrains, scrub forests, and grasslands.

The evolutionary journey of these charismatic species spans over 20 million years, resulting in the existence of nine distinct species in India. These species can be broadly classified into two subfamilies, namely Muntiacinae and Cervinae. Over time, additional subfamilies, including Hydropotinae and Odocoileinae, have been incorporated into the classification. Below are the different types of deer commonly observed or inhabiting regions of India.

Spotted Deer: The Spotted Deer, scientifically known as Axis axis, is a social and visually striking species commonly found in India. With a lifespan ranging from 15 to 25 years, these deer are characterized by their golden-rufous coloration and are designated as the state animal of Telangana. Spanning from the lower parts of the Himalayas to the southern and eastern regions extending to the Gangetic plain, these subtle creatures inhabit grasslands, swampy meadows, and scrublands across the Indian Subcontinent.

Male spotted deer typically possess three-pronged lyre-shaped antlers that can grow up to three feet in length. Referred to as Chital, these elegant ungulates are often observed in herds ranging from 10 to 50 individuals. They are known to associate with langurs, which aids in accessing dropped fruits and leaves. This mutually beneficial relationship also serves as a warning system against potential predators, as they are adept at communicating through alarm calls. Chitals are notorious for their tendency to raid cultivated fields, as they favor feeding on lush green leaves. Despite this behavior, they remain a captivating species, admired for their social dynamics and striking appearance.

Indian Chevrotain: The Indian Chevrotain, commonly known as the Mouse deer, holds the distinction of being India"s smallest deer and is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. This shy and solitary ruminant prefers the tranquility of dense forests, where it leads a quiet existence. Spread across peninsular India, the Indian Chevrotain inhabits various habitats, including deciduous, semi-evergreen, and evergreen forests. It tends to remain discreet in thick undergrowth, although occasional sightings near riverine areas are reported.

Speckled with white dots on its olive-brown body, this deer measures 25-30 cm in length and weighs only 2 to 4 kilograms. Unlike other ruminants, the mouse deer possesses a three-chambered stomach, which is a unique feature of this species. Due to its habitat preferences in dense forests, the Indian Chevrotain lacks antlers but instead has large canines, primarily visible in males, which likely serve as a fighting tool. One of the remarkable behaviors of this extraordinary creature is its ability to climb tree trunks to create hollow dens, providing refuge from predators.

Himalayan Musk Deer: The Himalayan Musk Deer, an enigmatic taxon, is a small dog-like ungulate found in the Western Himalayas, ranging from Himachal Pradesh to Sikkim. This elusive creature lacks antlers and weighs between 12 to 18 kilograms. Sporting a sandy brown coat with a paler chest, it occupies a range of habitats including thick bamboo forests, rhododendron forests, and medium to high alpine forests, typically found at altitudes between 2500m to 4400m.

Referred to as the White-bellied Musk Deer, this species is distinct for its large canines protruding from the mouth, which have the ability to grow back if broken. Communication among these deer primarily relies on olfaction, with males possessing a scent sac that secretes musk. This substance is used for marking territory and attracting females. The musk holds significant value in cosmetic and pharmaceutical industries, rendering the species vulnerable to poaching, which has led to a drastic decline in population.

Red Muntjac: The Red Muntjac, one of the least studied deer species in the Indian Subcontinent, is characterized by its reddish-brown, glossy coat and unique genetic makeup, with the lowest number of recorded chromosomes. This anomalous species is not confined to rainforests but is distributed throughout peninsular India and the Terai region. It inhabits wet forests in North-East India and the Western Ghats, as well as dry scrub forests in Central India.

In Red Muntjacs, males possess small tusks and small antlers, while females have bony knobs instead of antlers. This shy species maintains a home range of 6-8 square kilometers, which they regularly scent mark by rubbing their pre-orbital glands, located under the eye, on tree branches. Their vocalization resembles the barking of a dog, earning them the nickname "Barking Deer."

Sambar Deer: The Sambar Deer, India`s largest forest ruminant, boasts grand antlers and a dark brown coat, weighing between 180 to 270 kilograms. Males display huge three-tined antlers that can grow up to 1 meter in length. These majestic creatures are distributed throughout India, excluding high Himalayan regions, deserts, Kutch, and coastal areas. Their habitat ranges from dry to moist deciduous forests, scrublands, wetlands, tropical evergreen forests, to pine and oak forests. While Sambar deer prefer moist habitats, they are adaptable to drier areas as well.

Highly territorial, Sambar deer are often observed engaging in fierce territorial disputes. Both males and females possess a gland on the neck, used for communication during the mating season. Males generally lead solitary lives but may associate with each other, particularly during the rutting season. They utilize well-developed facial glands to attract females through scent marking on tree trunks. Given their affinity for water, Sambar deer are frequently seen bathing in shallow lakes and rivers.

Kashmir Red Deer: The Kashmir Red Deer, locally known as Hangul, holds iconic status as the state animal of Jammu and Kashmir. Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN, this species is distinguished by its shabby appearance, featuring a brown coat with an orange-white patch at the rump. Hangul`s conservation is of paramount importance, comparable to that of the tiger, within the mountainous regions. They exhibit excellent camouflage, with their coloration varying seasonally, and their movement becoming migratory in response to seasonal changes.

Sporting fine-tined antlers, these deer are known to emit roars during the rutting season. Hangul are territorial creatures, actively moving to patrol and defend their territory. Given that the population of hinds exceeds that of stags, rutting occurs infrequently. Protecting the habitat and ensuring the survival of this species is crucial for maintaining biodiversity in the region.

Brow-antlered Deer: The Brow-antlered Deer, also known as the Dancing Deer, is a visually striking species characterized by its delicate walking pattern, resembling a graceful hop on the grassy carpet. With 2 to 10 tined antlers, it stands out as one of the most extravagant species in the Indian forest. This comely creature exhibits a reddish-brown coloration, which becomes paler with the onset of winter.

Stags of this species often lead a solitary life, leaving the herd behind, and are typically only seen during the rutting season. Locally referred to as Thamin, the Brow-antlered Deer prefers open flat grasslands and floating vegetation, avoiding dense forests. Protecting their habitat is crucial for the conservation of this unique and elegant species.

Swamp Deer: The Swamp Deer, also known as Barasingha, has a remarkable story within Indian forests, as it was successfully brought back from the brink of extinction. With 10-12 tined antlers, this magnificent deer, adorned in golden to reddish-brown coat, is considered the pride of the Indian jungles. It is a selective feeder, consuming primarily Saccharum spontaneum grass. There are three distinct species of Barasingha found in the Indian Subcontinent. The Wetland Barasingha, the largest subspecies, is found in Nepal and the Terai region. The Hard-ground Barasingha is restricted to Central India, while the Eastern Barasingha or Soft-ground Barasingha, the smallest of all Barasinghas, is exclusively found in the northeast region of Assam.

These deer inhabit tall grasslands, reed beds of large rivers, alluvial grasslands with swamps, and dry grasslands bordered by sal forests. Remarkably, Barasinghas are monoestrous, meaning they have one estrous cycle per year, giving birth to only one young per year. Protecting their diverse habitats is essential for the continued survival of these astonishing creatures in the wild.

Hog Deer: The Hog Deer, a medium-sized grassland ruminant species, is widely distributed across the plains of the Indus River, Ganga, and some of its tributaries, ranging from Punjab to Assam and Arunachal Pradesh in the North-East. This stoutly built taxon features a large body with short legs and lacks long antlers.

Indian hog deer typically inhabit wet, tall grasslands with alluvial soil along the edges of forests, swamps, or riverine areas, and they tend to avoid dense forest cover. This solitary creature is predominantly nocturnal, resting during the day and foraging primarily at night. Protecting their preferred habitats is essential for the conservation of this species across its range.

Distribution in India
The highest concentration of large deer species in the tropics is found in Southern Asia, particularly in India`s Indo-Gangetic Plain Region. These fertile plains encompass a variety of habitats including tropical seasonal moist deciduous forests, dry deciduous forests, and both dry and wet savannas, providing a home to a diverse range of deer species including chital, hog deer, barasingha, Indian sambar, and Indian muntjac.

Grazing species such as the endangered barasingha and the common chital are gregarious and form large herds. Indian sambar may also exhibit gregarious behavior but are typically solitary or found in smaller herds. Hog deer, on the other hand, are solitary and have lower population densities compared to Indian muntjac.

Several national parks in India serve as habitats for these deer species, with Kanha National Park and Dudhwa National Park being among the most famous. Protecting these habitats and managing conservation efforts are crucial for ensuring the survival of these deer populations in their natural environment.