What is Spotted Deer?

About Spotted Deer

• The spotted deer, or chital/ cheetal is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent.
• It is the most common deer species in Indian forests.
• Distribution: It is widely distributed in Asia, especially in India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and a small group in Pakistan. 
• Habitat: Subtropical grasslands and forests
• Features:
  • With a lifespan of about 20 to 30 years, it stands at about 35 inches tall and weighs about 187 pounds. 
  • It is a slightly reddish brown with white spots on its body.
  • Only males have antlers, and their bodies are larger than females. 
  • Spotted Deers are social animals. They commonly occur in herds of 10 to 50 individuals.
  • They mainly feed on grasses throughout the year. Their diets include herbs, shrubs, foliage, and fruits.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Least Concern

Key Facts about Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR)

• Location: Kali Tiger Reserve, earlier known as Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, is located in the central portion of the Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district of Karnataka state.
• It comprises two important protected areas of the region, viz., Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
• Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (475.018 sq. km) and Anshi National Park (339.866 sq. km) are contiguous to each other and form a single tract of protected area located in the biologically sensitive Western Ghats.
• River: The Kali River, which forms the major source of water for Uttara Kannada, flows through the tiger reserve, hence the name.
• Vegetation: Forests are primarily moist deciduous and semi-evergreen, with excellent patches of evergreen forests in the westernmost parts as well as in deep valleys. 
• Flora: The complex floral tapestry comprises hardwood trees like teak, silver oak, Malabar tamrind, jamba, lantana, bamboo, shrubbery, and dense vegetative undergrowth on the floor.
• Fauna: Prominent species are the Asiatic elephant, tiger, leopard, gaur, chevrotain, spotted deer, barking deer, sloth bear, dhole, jungle and leopard cat, Malabar civet, and giant civet.

Q1) Which are the main tributaries of Kali River?

River Kali is located in Uttara Kannada District of Karnataka.Tributaries of Kali include, Pandrali, Kali, Tattihala, Vaki, Kaneri, Thananala, Kariholé and many more.

Source: 40 spotted deer translocated from Mysuru Zoo to Kali Tiger Reserve