Pronghorn

Pronghorn

Often confused for antelopes, the Pronghorn is a species of artiodactyl mammal indigenous to parts of North America. They have 5 subspecies.

Scientific Name – Antilocapra americana

Classification – Antilocapra

Gender Names – Male – buck; Female – doe; Baby – fawn

Collective Noun – Herd

Length/Size – 1.3–1.5 m (4 ft 3 in–4 ft 11 in) long from nose to tail, stand 81–104 cm (32–41 in) high at the shoulder

Weight – 40–65 kg (88–143 lb)

Top Speed – 88 km/h

Life Expectancy – 10 years; up to 11 in captivity

Mating Season  September – October

Gestation Period – 7–8 months

Social Structure – Varies between subspecies

Geographical Distribution – Western and central North America

Natural Habitat – Open plains, fields, grasslands, brush, deserts and basins

World Population – 500,000 and 1,000,000 (excluding the Sonoran pronghorn, which is down to about 200)

Conservation Status – Least Concern

Diet – Grasses, forbs, sagebrush and different prairie plants

Predators – Coyotes, bobcats, mountain lions, golden eagles, wild dogs