Pronghorn

by Marty Fancy

Title

Pronghorn

Artist

Marty Fancy

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Photograph

Description

A Pronghorn in Madison County, Montana. The Pronghorn is often mistaken for an Antelope but they are very different in several ways. They are closely related to each other so many experts believe that they share a common ancestor that dates back millions of years.

The males can range from 3.5 to 5 feet long and be close to 4 feet tall. The females tend to weigh about 110 pounds and the males around 150 pounds. The pronghorn is the fastest land mammal in the Western Hemisphere and can run up to 60 miles per hour. However, they can sustain a speed of 30 miles per hour for long periods of time.

Pronghorns were brought to scientific notice by the Lewis and Clark Expedition, which found them in what is now South Dakota. They are distributed throughout the treeless plains, basins, and deserts in both the United States and Canada.

They often live in small herds. However, in the winter months the males and females will form herds that are very large as they migrate in search of food. In the spring though the males will leave to form bachelor herds and the older males will take on a life of isolation. The females will form smaller groups with their offspring. Each herd has a dominant female that determines when they stay to eat and when they move on from a given location.

Uploaded

November 19th, 2016

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