Sambar Deer; the food of choice for tigers

When we explored the reserve we saw many of the native species of deer. Shalik told us that the tigers preferred the Sambar deer as their  meal of choice. Although the Spotted deer is abundant, they are smaller and much faster apparently. The Four Horned Antelope are bigger and have lethal weapons on their heads. I guess this is why the poor Sambar deer get hunted. Oh well, its the circle of life. I am just glade we didn't witness a take down. At one point we did hear Sambar deer sounding a predator call. We laid low hoping that the tigers hunting the deer might cross our path. I guess they were too busy stalking their prey.

Sambar Deer

I couldn't help but notice how big their ears are. I am thinking it is to help them hear who is sneaking up on them. I read somewhere that if you hear a Sambar deer call, you know preditors are close. They also said that the calls of the other deers could mean many things.

Spotted Deer

It is not hard to see why these are called Spotted deer. We saw a lot of them throughout the reserve. Inconth also saw a crocodile in the lake just behind the deer in this picture. They would be a quick snack for a crocodile. Shalik said that this reserve was a crocodile protective habitat. They bred them and protected them here. The government then decided it was the perfect place for tigers so they relocated the crocs. I guess they didn't get them all.

Antelope