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Pronghorn Antelope
(Antilocapra americana)
Physical Description
Pronghorns have a tan body and contrasting white markings on the
head and neck. Their belly and lower sides are white and a large
white rump patch surrounds their tail. The males’ noses are dark,
brownish-black and they have a small black patch on each of their
cheeks. Pronghorn eyes are about 2 inches in diameter and are set
far apart on the sides of their head. This gives them a wide field
of vision. Pronghorn have thick bodies and slim legs. They have a
large windpipe, heart, and lungs that allow them to take in large
amounts of air when running. Because of this and an extremely
light bone structure, they can run at amazing speeds up to 60
miles per hour. Pronghorn antelope grow to be 36 to 40 inches tall
at the shoulder. Pronghorn antelopes average 4.5 feet in length.
Average Weight Range
Mature pronghorn antelope range in weight from 75 to 130 pounds.
Reproduction
Breeding (called rut) runs from September through October. The
bucks begin to grow restless and make sudden jumps from a standing
position to the left or right. These moves show their strength and
rank within the herd. If these displays are not enough, the males
will fight for breeding rights to a harem of 20 to 30 females.
Pronghorn are polygamous. Gestation lasts around 252 days; females
normally give birth to one young after their first pregnancy and
two young in later pregnancies. The weight of a newborn ranges
from five to 8.5 pounds. The young fawns have a gray coloration
that looks much different than that of the adults until they are
three months of age. At four days of age the fawns can outrun a
human. Fawns are sexually mature at 15 to 16 months however; males
usually do not mate until they are three years of age.
Males mark their territories with urine and intruding males are
challenged with intense staring, which signifies aggression. If
the invader continues to remain in the territory, a fight may
occur. Bachelor males form groups that wander about in "no man's
land" between territories. They often chase and harass both
receptive and non-receptive females. The territories of the
dominant males serve as a haven to the females offering protection
from bachelor males.
Food Usage/Selection
Grasses, weeds, cacti, juniper, winterfat, and chamiso are the
most common foods that Pronghorns eat. They also feed on forbs and
shrubs. Forbs make up the largest part of their diet, followed by
shrubs, then grasses. Pronghorns have a particular preference to
eat flowers and fruits. They eat the flowers of cutleaf daisy,
white daisy, stickleaf, paper flower, and woolly senecio in large
amounts.
Range
Pronghorn antelope are found in the four deserts of the American
Southwest, and from Saskatchewan, Canada south to Mexico.
Habitat
Pronghorn antelopes can be found mostly in areas with seasonally
changing climates, in tall and short grass prairies and deserts.
They have been found in areas with low precipitation, extremes of
seasonal low and high temperatures, and harsh, and windy winters.
Common Hunting Methods
Hunters harvest the pronghorn antelope with rifles, blackpowder
and bow and arrows. Antelope hunting requires discipline,
patience, experience and knowledge of the species. The glass and
stalk method is best used to hunt the pronghorn. Use of binoculars
allows a hunter to detect a pronghorn’s location without being
noticed first. The hunter should quietly and carefully approach as
close to the antelope as possible, or until he is certain a clean
harvest can be made.
Hunting Challenges/Values
Pronghorns have large eyes which protrude from the side of its
head and give them wide-angle vision. The magnification of a
pronghorn is thought to be as great as a human looking through
8-power binoculars. They also can run at great speeds because of
an advanced respiratory system and long legs. Both of these
physical traits make hunting pronghorns a challenge. Pronghorns
are harvested for their meat and as a trophy species.
Interesting Tidbits
Pronghorn can maintain speeds of 40 mph for several miles, and can
reach 60 mph in shorter runs. They are one of the fastest animals
in North America and the world.
The male will move his body around in crazy motions up-and-down
and side-to-side to attract females.
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