Pronghorn Antelope
Pronghorn antelope are true American natives. Found nowhere else
in the world, pronghorns are unique in every sense of the word.
In fact the pronghorn is so unique, it is the only member of its
family, Antilocapra. Its latin name Antilocapra americana,
literally means the "American goat-antelope." But the pronghorn
is directly related to neither New World goats nor Old World
antelopes.
Pronghorns are the quintessential prairie animal. It is at home
in the wide-open spaces of the American West where other animals
may find food and cover in short supply. In Oklahoma, these
striking creatures can be spotted in the short and mixed grass
prairie of Cimarron and Texas counties. Pronghorn populations in
the state are quite healthy and were recently estimated at
approximately 1,200 animals.
If pronghorns are known for one thing it is speed – dazzling
speed. They can sprint up to 70 miles per hour, making them the
fastest animal in North America. They sometimes seem to fly
across the prairie, covering up to 20 feet in a single stride.
Besides their legs, pronghorns rely on their keen eyesight and
sensitive noses to avoid danger on the prairie.
Meriwether Lewis, on his epic journey west, was fascinated by
this odd animal and was the first to record it into the annals
of science. On September 17, 1804, he made these observations
which are just as true today as they were 200 years ago.
"… when at rest they generally select the most elevated point in
the neighborhood, and as they are watchful and extremely quick
of sight and their sense of smelling very acute …they will
frequently discover and flee from you at the distance of three
miles.... I beheld the rapidity of their flight along the ridge
before me it appeared rather the rapid flight of birds than the
motion of quadrupeds."
With rich tan coloration contrasting with brilliant white
patches on the neck, stomach and rump, pronghorn antelope are
beautiful specimens. Males have black patches on the lower jaw
below the eye and a black mask extending back from the nose.
Pronghorn feed on a variety of grasses and forbs and will travel
great distance to find good grazing grounds. Adult pronghorn
have few natural predators, although the young can be vulnerable
to mountain lions, coyotes and even golden eagles.
Both pronghorn bucks and does have horns, although the female’s
horns are much smaller than the male’s which are 10 to 16 inches
long. The horn is made up of two parts: a bony core and a black
outer sheath. Unlike true goats or antelopes (or any other
animal for that matter), which grow horns that are never shed,
the pronghorn sheds a sheath of its horn each year and grows
another sheath the next year.
Mature pronghorn bucks stake out their territories and assemble
harems of up to 10 does each fall. Although brief fights may
break out between rival males, confrontations are usually
decided with a few head butts and a lot of posturing.
The young are born in late May or early June and twins are quite
common. Within one month the young are up and running with the
rest of the pronghorn herd. Pronghorns travel in herds numbering
from just a few to more than 20.
Each fall a lucky group of Oklahoma sportsmen have the unique
opportunity to hunt pronghorn in Cimarron and Texas counties
through the Department’s popular controlled hunts program. In
2003, 65 hunters participated in the hunt and 60 of them took
home a pronghorn, that’s an impressive success rate of 92
percent.
If you have not ventured West to the home of the pronghorn
antelope, then determine to do so soon. When you spot a
pronghorn on the wide-open prairie you know you have seen one of
Oklahoma’s most wild and unique creatures.