First, the spotted deer approach the water alarm calling as they went and stamping the ground with their forelimbs. Gradually they have the courage to drink. Sambar then approach the water, drink and are then spooked by the alarm calls of the Spotted Deer. Interestingly, the Sambar never alarm called. Whilst all this went on a Cormorant sat serenely on a tree stump in the waterhole.
Sambar are large deer with a shaggy, dark brown coat and India’s largest deer reaching 1.6m at the shoulder and weighing up to 270kg for a male. They often feed in shallow water. Spotted deer (or Chital) are India’s most common deer. They are often found with Langur and act as a look out for the monkeys and feed on fruit and leaves that are dropped from the trees by the monkeys.