Sambar is the largest deer that occurs in India and the third largest in the world with Moose and Elk being the other two larger members of the family. It is one of the favorite prey species animal of Tiger in Corbett Tiger Reserve. As per conservative estimates, there can be more than 8000-10000 individuals in the reserve. When full grown, it can attain height of 102 to 160 cm at the shoulder and may typically weigh between 100 and 350 kg, though animals attaining more than 550 kg have been recorded. It can attain head and body length from 5.3 to 8.9 ft, with a tail length of 8.7 to 13.8 inches. Males support large antler that have three tines each and can grow to a length of 43 inches.
Sambar is distributed in the wild from India through much of south-east Asia, south China including islands of Hainan and Taiwan, with eight different subspecies recognized. It was introduced to Australia, New Zealand and United States of America where it occurs in naturalized state.
It can occur upto 3500m in the Himalayas with a home range of 1500 hectares for males and 300 hectares for females. The species is primarily nocturnal and crepuscular but can be encountered during the day as well. Sambar is a browser/grazer and mostly favours forested habitat. They also occur in river valleys and in the fringe of the forest habitat.
This individual male was recorded browsing on the tender leaves and flowers of a Lantana Lantana camara shrub, in Jhirna Tourism Zone of Corbett Tiger Reserve.