A Behavioural Study of Free Ranging Ceylon Spotted Deer (Axis axis ceylonensis) in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka

  • Kalpphana Gowrithasan Department of Zoology, Eastern University, Sri Lanka, Chenkalady, Sri Lanka
  • Ahamed Muhaideen Riyas Ahamed Department of Biological Sciences, South Eastern University of Sri Lanka, Sammanthurai, Sri Lanka
  • Meena Dharmaretnam Science Navigators, Batticaloa, Sri Lanka
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4308/hjb.29.1.31-38

Abstract

Axis axis ceylonensis (Ceylon spotted deer) is a sub species endemic to Sri Lanka. Ecological observations in wild populations of this subspecies have been reported but there is no published research on its behaviour. We report here a behavioural study on a free ranging population of A. a. ceylonensis inhabiting a temple surroundings in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. Behaviour was quantified by focal sampling on sex age groups in three time zones: 6:30 to 7:30, 12:30-13:30, and 17:00 to 18:00 hours. The deer were more active in the hour after dawn and an hour before dusk. The main activities were feeding and play, the latter common in juveniles. There was a preference to graze on grasses and browse on Ficus sp. leaves. Resting was highest in the afternoon across all groups. This bimodal activity pattern is similar to that of both wild Ceylon and Indian A. axis subspecies despite the absence of predators in the study area. The bimodal activity may be related to thermoregulatory functions while grazing in open grass areas.

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Published
2021-11-30
How to Cite
GowrithasanK., AhamedA. M. R., & DharmaretnamM. (2021). A Behavioural Study of Free Ranging Ceylon Spotted Deer (Axis axis ceylonensis) in Trincomalee, Sri Lanka. HAYATI Journal of Biosciences, 29(1), 31-38. https://doi.org/10.4308/hjb.29.1.31-38
Issue
Vol. 29 No. 1 (2022): January 2022
Section
Articles

Copyright (c) 2022 Kalpphana Gowrithasan, Ahamed Muhaideen Riyas Ahamed, Meena Dharmaretnam

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