Pronghorn

Pronghorn

The pronghorn is a special animal that lives in western and central parts of North America. Many people call it the American antelope or pronghorn antelope. It looks a bit like antelopes from faraway places but it is the only one of its kind left today.

Pronghorns are very fast! They can run up to 55 miles per hour, which makes them the fastest land animal in the Americas. They have special hooves and big hearts that help them run so well. When they need to warn others of danger, they show the white hair on their rumps.

These animals have unique horns that grow and fall off each year. Males have longer horns with a extra part, while females have shorter horns. Long ago, pronghorns lived all over, but today they are mostly found in open lands from Canada down through many western United States states and even into Mexico.

Pronghorns like to stay near water and can travel long distances. They live in groups, especially during the winter, and have interesting ways of choosing mates. Females pick their partners, and after about seven to eight months, they have a baby called a fawn. The fawns stay close to their mothers for the first few weeks.

People have always watched pronghorns. Explorers like Meriwether Lewis and William Clark saw them and learned from local tribes. Today, there are many pronghorns thanks to protected areas and rules to help them stay safe.