Axis axis is a moderately large deer standing 88-97cm at the shoulders. It has a rufous brown coat that is covered with white spots on the abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs and ears and underside of tail that persist throughout the life of the animal. A dark stripe runs down the back from the nape to the tip of the tail. A gland-bearing cleft is present on the front of the pastern of the hind foot. A. axis dental formula is similar to elk, Cervus elaphus, but the upper canines & x28;the so-called & x22;elk teeth& x22;& x29; are lacking. Males measure an average total length of 1.7m with a tail 200mm in length and their height at the shoulder can reach 90cm. Females are generally smaller. Weights can reach 66-113kg in males and 43-66kg in females & x28;Mungall and Sheffield, 1994& x29;. Antlers are present only on bucks, and immediately upon shedding a set of antlers, growth begins on the next set. The larger the antlers, the longer the development period, from & x22;velvet& x22; through to & x22;hard& x22; antler. Antlers over 76cm take roughly five months to fully develop. Each antler has three tines; the brow tine forms at near right angle with the beam and the front & x28;or outer& x29; tine of the terminal fork is much longer than the hind & x28;or inner& x29; tine.

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