|
Range and Habitat: The pronghorn is native to North America.
It is found nowhere else in the world. Vast herds formerly ranged
from southern Saskatchewan to the Pacific Ocean and as far south
as Mexico. Now its numbers are reduced, but smaller herds can
be found in many states west of the Mississippi River. It is a
prairie dweller, preferring flat open areas or low rolling ground,
and can withstand temperature extremes of -45C to 37.75C (-50F
to 100F).
Habits and Adaptations: In winter pronghorns form large
herds (100 or more) which remain in a relatively small area if
food and weather conditions permit. The migrations follow well-established
routes, generally traveling single file. Pronghorns have phenomenal
eyesight. Hearing and sense of smell are also very good. When
alarmed, a pronghorn raises the long white hairs on his rump to
form a highly reflective disc which is visible for miles. This
warning is relayed "chain-reaction" fashion until all
pronghorn in the area are alerted to the danger. It also exudes
a musky odor from its scent glands which can be smelled by another
pronghorn far away. It is the swiftest animal in North America,
second in the world only to the cheetah. Speeds up to 88 KPH (55
MPH) have been recorded, and 72 KPH (45 MPH) can be maintained
for over 6.5 km (4 mi).
Diet: Pronghorns are browsers, feeding on leaves, twigs,
and bark of bushes. Sagebrush is their main food. They also eat
alfalfa, crested wheat and cacti, which they eat spines and all
when water is scarce. They are ruminants and need large quantities
of food (2-2.5 kg, 4.5-5.5 lbs, of sagebrush per day). They can
go many days without water if necessary.
Breeding and Maturation: The pronghorns mate in fall,
mid-August to mid-October. The bucks drive the does into groups
forming harems. Females may breed at an age of 16 months. Fawns
are born in May, after a 230-240 day gestation period.
Miscellaneous: Pronghorn are hard to keep in captivity.
They don't reproduce well, and rarely live more than a few years
(they often live to be 10 or 12 in the wild). They seem to do
better in zoos located in their native habitat than they do in
eastern U.S. or Europe, where they are almost impossible to keep.
|