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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 is not a true antelope, and its horns 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, USA. The Pronghorn's range extends from southern
Saskatchewan and Alberta, 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.
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Pronghorn live
primarily in grasslands but also in brushland and deserts. Pronghorn
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 pronghorn have horns about 12 in (300 mm) long with a prong.
Female horns are usually half that length and do not have a prong.
Above Images Come From The US Fish & Wildlife Service
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