Male pronghorn at the San Diego Zoo
Sometimes, the
occupants of odd corners are strange, although not necessarily in an
attention-grabbing manner. The pronghorn exists in such a state.
Illustration of various-aged pronghorn.
Image from
Much of the
pronghorn seems bent on defying standard classification. Unlike many other
animals living on the plains of the American Midwest, pronghorns enjoy distinct
coloration. The overall coat bears a rust or amber color, with bright white
markings along the neck, head, belly, and rump. Males also have black patches
on their faces and cheeks, perhaps to gain the attention of females. The
animals live in herds…sort of. Some males remain with a harem of females.
Others create territories and faithfully guard them, neglecting the social
structure of a herd. Additionally, while females usually stay together, they
will abandon the group to give birth to their fawns. Unlike bison or musk ox,
the herd offers not protection to its young ones, so leaving other females may
prevent predators from finding the fawns quite as easily. Perhaps the most
confusing aspect of the pronghorns is their namesake. Male pronghorns, as well
as some females, have dark projections on their heads. Like horns, they are
cornetless and made of keratin. However, they also display tines, or branches.
The tines often make the distinct “prongs” providing the animals with their
name. However, they can also curve, droop, and branch into distinct shapes in
some individuals. Also, they fall off once a year, much like antlers. The
distinct headwear separates pronghorns from modern animals, although fossil
records show at least twelve ancient species. All bore strange branching
crests, and all existed solely in North America. In current times, only one
species remains.
Fossil of Stockoceros onusrosagris, an extinct pronghorn species, at
the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
As a result of the modern pronghorn’s unusual characteristics, naming the animal proved difficult. Scientifically, the creature is known as Antilocapra americana. The name translates to “American horned animal” or “American she-goat.” The “goat” term was one of the first used by Western explorers. American slang, tales, and songs also refer to pronghorn as “antelope,” as in “where the deer and the antelope play” fame. Most modern sources refer to the animals as pronghorn, pronghorn antelope, or antelope, although some ranchers and hunting enthusiasts may refer to them as speed goats.
Taxidermies of five pronghorns at the Natural
History Museum of Los Angeles
For all the
confusion the animals cause linguists and classification, no one doubts their
capacity. Antelope display an amazing ability to survive in the plains of the
American Midwest. Their coat manages to keep them cool in the summer, but sheds
water in the winter. Pronghorn also thrive on vegetation cattle and deer cannot
gain nutrients effectively from, making them ideal for the grazing
opportunities of the Midwest. Typically, antelope detect danger through
eyesight, which some researchers compare favorably to binoculars. Once
pronghorn identify a source of danger, they run. The animals maintain the
record for long distance speed. While cheetahs manage to run at over sixty miles
per hour, they can only maintain such speeds for a few seconds. By contrast,
pronghorn run for several miles at a time, although the actual speed is
debated. Most biologists agree the animals can gallop between thirty and
forty-five miles per hour, but getting antelope to cooperate with speed
measuring equipment proves difficult. As a result of their speed, antelope can
easily evade most of their predators, including coyotes, eagles, and wolves. In
the rare event speed fails, the pronghorn can fight back using powerful hooves,
strong legs, and pointed headwear.
Close-up of a male pronghorn at the San Diego Zoo.
Note the distinct headgear and cheek patches.
Since pronghorn
offered such a pleasing challenge to hunters, they became a popular sport
animal. Like their neighbors, the bison, pronghorn once filled the plains with
a population spanning the millions. Also, like bison, they were nearly hunted
to extinction. After decades of unlimited hunting, the herds of millions quietly
dropped into groups of a few hundred animals. Fencing also proved devastating
to the animals. Unlike deer, pronghorn do not typically jump well, so fences
intended to keep sheep and cattle safe blocked the antelope from grazing and
watering sites. Hunters, concerned about the loss of a popular animal, began to
actively conserve remaining antelope. With the support of protective measures,
such as reserving land, limiting hunts, and raising awareness, pronghorn
numbers returned. While a few subspecies remain in doubt, the overall
population exists in the Least Concern aspect of the IUCN Red List.
Two female pronghorn and a fawn from the North American Mammal Hall
at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles
With such a
survival story and so many unique characteristics, it seems odd that pronghorn never
really manage to attract crowds at zoos and museums. Perhaps the animals are
simply too small to inspire interest. A large male can weigh roughly one
hundred fifty pounds, a featherweight compared to the ton maintained by most
bison. Bison themselves may rob antelope of attention, since the larger, more
powerful animals undoubtedly represent the plains in most visitors’ minds.
Maybe the success of the antelope robs them of their attention. Since they are
now, for all practical purposes, common, they do not maintain the charisma
necessary for attracting attention. Rarity gathers interest, but survivability
tends to be ignored. Also, they may simply be too strange to maintain guest interest.
While the horns, colors, behaviors, and histories of the animals remains
distinct, they also prevent antelope from attracting interest through
familiarity. For whatever reason, pronghorn remain distinct, attractive
occupants of odd corners.
View of the Pronghorn Display at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles