Classic Moments in the Forest


Indian Peafowl | Blackbuck | Elephant | Spotted Deer | Common Langur
Wild Boar | Indian Gaur | Tiger | Sambar | Sloth Bear | Leopard
Nilgiri Tahr




Photograph by T.N.A. Perumal, F.R.P.S., M.F.I.A.P.

Sambar (Nagarahole Rajiv Gandhi National Park, Karnataka)

» SCIENTIFIC NAME: Cervus unicolor
» KANNADA NAME: Kadave

The largest Indian deer, the sambar moves with surprising grace and silence for so huge a creature. Sambar run with their heads thrust forward, thereby allowing their antlers to most effectively protect their head and shoulders. They can swim with ease; body submerged and only head and antlers above water.

Sambar are fairly gregarious and live in small herds of 4 to 12. Males are extremely territorial. When the 'honk'…'honk'…honk' alarm call of sambar sounds in the forest, it is a sure sign that a tiger or a leopard is on the prowl. Though essentially denizens of the deep forest, sambar can often be spotted in open areas during the monsoon, taking shelter from their smallest enemy—the fly.

Description: Average size: Weighs 500-700 lb. (225-320 kg.) and roughly 55" (140 cm.) high at shoulder. Powerful legs, a strong neck and large spreading ears. The 3-tined antlers of stags are stout and rugged. To protect their antlers at developing stages, stags often move from forest to open grassy plots. Coarse, shaggy generally brown coat, with a yellowish or greyish tinge and paler underparts. Stags have a mane around neck and throat. Shed hair profusely in hot weather. Poor vision, keen hearing and smell.

Distribution: Throughout India, in wooded areas.

Habits and habitat: Mainly on the slopes of forested hills, near cultivated land.

Natural enemies: Jungle predators like tigers, leopards, wild dogs and parasites; disease and man.

Food: Herbivores, feed usually at night, mainly on grass, leaves and a variety of fruits. They retire to safe, covered areas at daybreak, emerging again at dusk.

Breeding habits: Pairing in Nov. or Dec. Stags live with several hinds during rut. Young are born at the start of the rains and live with the hinds.