Sambar (Cerves unicolor)

The Sambar is the largest India deer and carries the grandest antlers. Its coat, which is coarse and shaggy, forms a mane about the neck and throat of stags. The general color is brown with yellowish or grayish tinge.
Females are lighter in color. They feed mainly at night and their food consists of grass, leaves and various kinds of fruits. Sambar takes to water readily and often swim with the body submerged and only the face and antlers showing above the surface. In anhambhore they number 5000-8000and are one of the most important prey species for the tiger.