Pronghorn Antelope (Antilocapra americana) lives in grasslands across North American Plains. It feeds on grass and leaves. Its conservation status is Least Concern.
Hear the Pronghorn Antelope
A real field recording of the Pronghorn Antelope, made in the wild.
Pronghorn can sprint at 55 mph (88.5 km/h) for short bursts, but they also sustain 42 mph (68 km/h) over a mile and 35 mph (56 km/h) for 4 mi (6.5 km). This endurance outpaces the African cheetah's brief sprint, suggesting the species evolved to outrun extinct North American predators like the American cheetah. Their oversized windpipe, heart, blood volume, erythrocytes and lungs let them gulp massive air, while cushioned, pointed hooves absorb shock, turning speed into a lifelong survival tool.
A pronghorn's eyes cover a 320° field of vision, giving it near-panoramic sight to spot predators. Their large, high-set orbits let them see almost all around without turning the head. This visual advantage pairs with a "buttered popcorn" scent from the rump gland that can be smelled 65-100 ft downwind, alerting nearby herd members to danger.
Adult male pronghorn stand 2.7-3.4 ft (82-104 cm) at the shoulder, measure 4.3-4.9 ft (1.3-1.5 m) long, and weigh 88-143 lb (40-65 kg); females are similar in height but lighter at 75-106 lb (34-48 kg). Males sport a keratinous horn sheath 4.9-17 in (12½, 43¼ cm) long with a prong, while females' horns are only 0.4-2.4 in (1-6 cm) and often invisible.
Pronghorn migrations can span over 160 mi (260 km), with a critical bottleneck only 200 yd wide.
Female pronghorn typically first enter estrus at about 16 months, give birth after a 7-8 month gestation, and often produce twin fawns weighing 4-9 lb (2-4 kg). Twins are common, and newborns hide for 21-26 days before joining a nursery.
Sources
Every fact above was checked against these pages, and kept only where one of them states it.
Across the sun-baked expanses of North America's grasslands, the pronghorn antelope traverses its domain with effortless elegance, its slender legs devouring distance as it bounds effortlessly, a symphony of motion that belies its remarkable speed. With eyes ever-vigilant, this fleet-footed creature navigates a world of predators and prey, its tawny coat blending seamlessly into the landscape as it pursues its ancient, nomadic ways. As it runs, the pronghorn's very existence seems a testament to the enduring power of adaptation, a living embodiment of the wild beauty that still thrives in these untamed landscapes.
Advertisement
Hear the Pronghorn Antelope, and 4,400+ more
Real recorded sounds, 11 nature games and a free Daily 5, 1v1 quiz duels, conservation wins and a safe Kids mode. Free on Feravox.
