Plate No. 07Mammal
Species Profile
Pronghorn
Antilocapra americana
Often called the ‘American antelope,’ but the pronghorn is its own thing — the last survivor of an ancient family. The fastest land animal in the Western Hemisphere, built to outrun a predator that's been extinct for 10,000 years.
Habitat
High plains east of the Sangre de Cristos
Diet
Sagebrush, forbs, cactus
Size
75–140 lb · 32–41 in at shoulder
Status
Common on grasslands
§ Field Notes
Fun facts.
01
Second-fastest land animal on Earth (~55 mph) — only cheetahs are quicker.
02
Evolved their speed to outrun the now-extinct American cheetah.
03
Eyesight equivalent to 8x binoculars — they can spot motion 4 miles away.
04
Sheds and regrows the outer sheath of its horns each year.
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