Friday, September 21, 2012

Pronghorn

This blog will discuss the Pronghorn.  Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Most people call this animal, a pronghorn antelope or simply antelope.  The reason for this, is that it closely resembles the antelopes of the old world, although they are not in any way related to the African antelopes.  They are the only surviving members of the family Antilocapridae.
What sets them apart from other hoofed animals are their antlers.  Pronghorn have branched, hollow, hair-like horns that are shed annually, as opposed from deer and elk, whose branched, solid antlers which are shed every year, and from goats and cattle's whose hollow horns which are also made from hair, but are not shed.
They are the fastest mammal in North America and the second fastest animal in the world, next to the cheetah.  They can run at between 50 and 60 mph and can keep it up for a long period of time.  This helps them escape from predators.
From spring until winter, bucks will amass a harem of 2-15 does.  The herds will come together for the winter.  The Bucks will defend their territory all summer, chasing other males away from their harems.
The following sequence of photographs show a a buck running after another intruding buck.  The defendin buck observed the intruding buck from a long distance away   As the buck sped toward the intruder,it scaredto bisonwho or resting.
Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)
Pronghorns have exceptional vision, and they can pick up movement is far away is 3 miles.  This is because their eyes are located far back on the head.  They can keep watch, even when they are feeding.
 _D8C4795 September 14, 2012 NIKON D800 _D8C4846 September 14, 2012 NIKON D800Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)Pronghorn (Antilocapra americana)

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