Pronghorn

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

 http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/f8/Gabelbock-drawing.jpg

     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