Fauna
Mammal

Pronghorn

Antilocapra americana

Also known as American Antelope, Pronghorn Antelope, Prong Buck, Prairie Antelope

Pronghorns are the fastest land mammals in the Western Hemisphere, capable of sprinting at speeds exceeding 88 kilometers per hour to outrun long-extinct prehistoric predators. Unique among ungulates, they possess true horns with a keratin sheath that branches into a forward-pointing prong and shedding each year after the autumn rut. Their massive eyes provide a 320-degree field of view, allowing them to detect subtle movements miles away across wide-open sagebrush steppes.

Fastest MammalGrassland NativeHerd Animal
Pronghorn reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preySagebrush, Wild Forbs, Prairie Grasses
Predators
  • Coyotes
  • Golden Eagles
  • Cougars
ThreatsFencing barriers, habitat fragmentation, vehicle collisions
HabitatsOpen grasslands, sagebrush steppes, high deserts
Life span7–10 years in the wild
Classification
  1. OrderArtiodactyla
  2. FamilyAntilocapridae
  3. GenusAntilocapra
  4. SpeciesAntilocapra americana
Range & activity
Native
Safe observation
Interaction riskLow
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is low
Safe to observe from a distance; avoid approaching wild herds, especially during the autumn mating season.
Responsible observation
  • Keep Distance: Use binoculars or a long lens, as herds easily spook and flee when approached.
  • Drive Cautiously: Watch for animals crossing rural highways, particularly during spring and autumn migrations.
  • Look for White Rumps: Spot distant herds when they raise and flare their white tail hair to signal alarm.
Related species
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Prairie Plains

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