The Gestation Period of Axis Deer

Bucks

• Male axis deer shed their antlers annually. When this happens, the area around the antlers is raw and may bleed. Males are not equipped to fight other males at this time. The antlers initially have velvet-like hair when they begin to grow back. This is the velvet stage. During this stage, these males cannot compete for a receptive doe with other males who do have hardened antlers. Once the antlers shed the velvet, the males are ready to rut or breed. Not all bucks in a herd come into rut at the same time. Only those with hardened antlers are ready for rutting. Mature bucks in rut seek out receptive females in the herd to service. Bucks in rut can also join other herds to service receptive females. Bucks will spar with other males in an attempt to keep them away from a receptive doe. Sparring contests between evenly matched bucks can turn vicious. Typically, one buck can service between 10 to 40 does during the breeding season.

Does

• While does are ready for breeding by the time they are eight to 12 months old, they do not generally fawn until they are 23 months or older. Does are reproductive until the age of 15. Typically, one doe gives birth to a single fawn. Axis deer may produce multiple births, but these are rare. Once the parturition is over, the female axis deer is ready to mate again. Mature female axis deer produce one fawn each year.

Fawns

• Axis deer fawns drink mother's milk until they are 5 weeks old, after which they begin consuming green forage. They are completely weaned by the time they are four to six months old. They develop their permanent teeth by the time they are 3 years old. Female axis deer attain their adult size by the time they are 6 years old. Male axis deer reach their full adult growth between four and five years of age

Physical Features

• The axis deer is yellowish brown with white spots. The abdomen, throat, rumps, inside of the legs and ears and the area under the tail are white in color. There is a dark stripe running from the nape to the tip of the tail. The female axis deer does not have antlers and are smaller than males. The males are about 5.5 feet in length and weigh between 66 and 165 lbs. The females weigh between 55 and 99 lbs.