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Facts about the Pronghorn Antelope:
They are the fastest land animal in North America. They have been clocked at speeds of 70 mph and can maintain a speed of 60 mph for three to four minutes.
They are second only to the cheetah in speed on land, but can outdistance the cheetah after ¼ mile.
Newborns a few hours old can run up to 45 mph.
Their speed is the result of a special capacity to use huge amounts of oxygen through an oversized trachea, large lungs and heart. Large numbers of mitochondria in the muscles assist in the oxygenation.
They run with their mouths open to inhale more oxygen.
Spindly looking legs are actually very powerful.
They can go many days without water.
They will graze on foods left behind by other grazing animals.
A white rump patch can be flared to warn rest of herd of danger.
Large eyes give them the ability to see predators three to four miles away.
They were almost wiped out in the early 1900’s with numbers plummeting from tens of millions to 10,000. Efforts are currently being taken to protect herds. Population estimates are currently around 670,000.
Sonoran pronghorns number only 140 in the U.S. and are on the Endangered Species List.
Information is from the North American Pronghorn Foundation and National Wildlife Federation
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