Page 76 - 2018 NOV/DEC Outdoor Oklahoma

Watchable Wildlife
Pronghorn
By Whitney Jenkins, Information and Education Technician

O K L A H O M A’ S
Watchable Wildlife

p roNghorN

by W hit N ey j eN k i Ns, i N form atioN aN d eduCatioN teCh N iCi aN

The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is a true Amer- shed, the pronghorn sheds the sheath of its horn each
ican native. Found nowhere else in the world, pronghorns year and grows another sheath the next year.
are unique in every sense of the word. They are iconic Mature pronghorn bucks stake out their territories
symbols of the grasslands and are renowned for being each fall and assemble harems of up to 10 does. Although
North America’s fastest land mammal. brief fights may break out between rival males, confron-
The pronghorn is the only member of its family, Anti- tations are usually decided with a few head butts and a

locapra. Its scientific name literally means “American lot of posturing.
goat-antelope.” Even though this animal is often referred Here are some facts about pronghorns:
to as an antelope, the pronghorn isn’t directly related to • Pronghorns can run up to 65 mph and are collo-
New World goats or Old World antelopes. quially called “speed goats.”

Pronghorns are quintessential prairie animals. They are • Pronghorn are not good jumpers. They will often
at home in the wide-open spaces of the American West, slide under a fence instead of jumping over.
where other animals may find food and cover in short sup- • Pronghorns are herbivores.
ply. In Oklahoma, these striking creatures can be spotted • Lewis and Clark were the first people to scientifi-
in the short- and mixed-grass prairies of Cimarron and cally document pronghorn.
Texas counties. The pronghorn population in the state is • A group of pronghorns is called a band or herd.

steady, recently estimated at about 1,200 animals. • Juvenile pronghorns are called fawns.
With rich tan coloring contrasting with brilliant white • Pronghorns have very large eyes and have a
patches on the neck, stomach and rump, pronghorns 320-degree field of view.
are easily recognizable. Males have black patches on the • When a pronghorn is startled, it raises the white
lower jaw below the eye and a black mask extending back hair on its rump, which can be seen for miles.

from the nose. • Pronghorns chew cud.
Pronghorns get their name from the prominent pair • Many states, including Oklahoma, allow prong-
of horns they have on the top of their heads. Pronghorn horn hunting.
bucks and does can have horns, although the female’s • Pronghorns can eat plants found in the grasslands
horns are much smaller than the male’s horns, which can that are toxic to domestic animals.
be 10 to 16 inches long. So when you venture out west, be on the lookout for

The horns consist of two parts: a bony core and a black these amazing creatures. And when you spot a pronghorn
outer sheath. Unlike true goats or antelopes (or any other on the wide-open prairie, you’ll know you have seen one
animal for that matter), which grow horns that are never of Oklahoma’s more wild and unique animals.

48 WATCHABLE WILDLIFE