The chital or cheetal, also known as the spotted deer, chital deer and axis deer, is a deer species native to the Indian subcontinent. It was first described and given a binomial name by German naturalist Johann Christian Polycarp Erxleben in 1777. A moderate-sized deer, male chital reach 90 cm (35 in) and females 70 cm (28 in) at the shoulder. While males weigh 70–90 kg, females weigh around 40–60 kg. Antlers are present only on males. The upper parts are golden to rufous, completely covered in white spots. The abdomen, rump, throat, insides of legs, ears, and tail are all white. The antlers, three-pronged, are nearly 1 m long.

Chital has its origin in Sanskrit and means variegated or spotted.

Its closest relative is the Indian hog deer. Like other species, this species has been introduced all over the year. Some introductions have failed. Whether established populations will be removed is anyone’s guess.