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More About Pronghorns ...
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The Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae, and the fastest land animal in North America running at speeds up to 54 mph (90 km/h). The Pronghorn is also known as the Pronghorn Antelope but unlike the hollow horns of true antelope, the horns of a Pronghorn are made up of a hairlike substance that grows around a bony core; the outer sheath is shed annually.
Pronghorn were brought to scientific notice by the Lewis and Clark Expedition which found them in present South Dakota. The Pronghorn's range extends from southern Saskatchewan and Alberta in Canada to Sonora and Baja California in Mexico. They live on both sides of the Rocky Mountains. Their eastern extent is generally bounded by the Missouri River in the United States. The subspecies known as the Sonoran Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) occurs in Arizona and Mexico.
Pronghorns live primarily in grasslands but also in brushland and deserts. Pronghorns eat cacti, grasses, forbs and browse plants.
Pronghorn newborns weigh 5 to 9 lb (2 to 4 kg) and are grey in color. Adult male Pronghorn weigh 100 to 130 lb (45 to 60 kg) while females weigh 75 to 100 lb (35 to 45 kg). The main color of adults is brown or tan, with a white rump and belly and two white stripes on the throat. A short dark mane grows along the neck, and males also sport a black mask and black patches on the sides of the neck.
Male Pronghorns have horns about 12 in (300 mm) long with a prong. Female horns are usually half the length of male horns and do not have a prong.
By 1908, hunting pressure had reduced the Pronghorn population to an estimated 20,000. Protection of habitat and hunting restrictions have made Pronghorn widespread again. Wolves, coyotes and bobcats are the major predators. Golden Eagles have been reported to prey on fawns.
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Taxonmony
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Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Antilocapridae
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Source: Wikipedia Read more about Pronghorns
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INFO LINKS
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Pronghorn
Birdnature.com
Describes the Pronghorn and compares the species with other Antelopes Read More
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Pronghorn
Nutty Birdwatcher
Very interesting narrative about prong-horned antellope. "In fact, so different is its structure, having hollow, pronged horns which do not increase by continuous growth, as do those of the true antelopes, but are shed like those of the deer family". Read More
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Pronghorn
Desert USA
categorized information including life cycle, range, diet, current status, etc. "But the deer-like Pronghorn is neither antelope nor goat -- it is the sole surviving member of an ancient family dating back 20 million years". Read More
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Pronghorn
South Central Service Co-OP
Nice Images and brief crisp narrative. "Its scientific name is Antilocapra americana". Read More
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Pronghorn
Animal Tracks
"The U.S. population of no more than 99 pronghorns is on shaky ground because of years of dry weather." The issue concerning pronghorn population in US Read More
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Sonoran Pronghorn
Animal Tracks
"Sonoran pronghorns are often called prairie ghosts or phantoms of the desert - because they're so elusive and rare". Interesting narrative on Sonoran Pronghorns Read More
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Pronghorn
Sedgwick County Zoo
Brief categorized information on behavior, physical characterestics, diet, environmental and global issues, etc. "They are not true antelope. They are the only surviving genus and species of their family". Read More
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Pronghorned Antelope
Hunting Outfitters Directory
Intersting Facts "A small, trim animal, standing about 90 cm high at the shoulder, the pronghorn is the fastest North American mammal. It is capable of speeds estimated at 80-95 km/h in short bursts". Read More
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Pronghorned Antelope
Canadian museum of nature
"Once roaming the prairie in numbers rivaling the bison, the pronghorn antelope is now restricted". Brief narrative Read More
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Sonoran Pronghorn
National Wildlife Federation
Categorized information about Sonoran Pronghorn Read More
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Pronghorn Antelope
Wind Cave National Park
Fact Sheet Read More
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