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Pronghorns
Pronghorn are the fastest land mammals in North America. They are not antelope, though the physical and behavioral characteristics they have closely resemble the Old World true antelopes. Questions and answers about pronghorns can be asked and answered here.
462 Questions
What is the maximum speed of a pronghorn antelope?
Asked by Wiki User
60 mph on sprint but 30 mph for miles
What is the difference of a pronghorn and a deer?
Asked by Wiki User
Pronghorn antelopes are, well, antelopes. Deer are deer.
Taxonomically, they're form two completely different families of animals. Both are from the order ruminantia and infraorder pecora, but there they split: pronghorn belonging to Antilocapridae, and deer belonging to Cervidae.
Antilocapridae has no living species other than the pronghorn today.
Cervidae has many living and extinct members including all true deer, elk, moose and caribou (reindeer).
The biggest differences that can be observed is in their feet and their antlers. Pronghorn antlers project upward, with a single spur projecting forward near the base. Deer antlers have many shapes and sizes, none of which in that configuration. The foot of a pronghorn has only 2 toes, and no dewclaws. Deer have dewclaws.
Will a pronghorn antelope jump a fence?
Asked by Wiki User
Yes, but they are more likely to run at full speed underfences. Some western ranchers are removing the bottom wire of their 3-wire fences because of this fact.
What kind of sound does a pronghorn make?
Asked by Wiki User
pronghorn make a metallic whirling sound
How long are dwarf pronghorns?
Asked by Wiki User
The extinct dwarf pronghorn (Capromeryx minor) had horns of about 10 cm (3.9 in) in length. They were a very small gazelle-like species, standing at only 60 cm (24 in.) at the shoulder and weighing only 10 kg (22 lb).
Source: the San Diego Zoo
Why do the pronghorn antelope run so fast?
Asked by Wiki User
Pronghorn antelope evolved alongside the North American Cheetah. As we all know, the African cheetah can run up to speeds of 110kms per hour over short distances so in order to escape such a fast predator, the antelope needed to be fast too. The North American cheetah is now extinct but the antelope still retains its genetic traits for speed. They developed strong leg bones and padded hooves to absorb shock. Their lungs and trachea are very large, as is their heart. This allows them to use vast amounts of oxygen. Their movement while running also assists in breathing. As their body lurches, the abdominal cavity expands and contracts the lungs so breathing is automatic. This allows the pronghorn to run farther, using less energy than the cheetah. This amazing animal survived by running very quickly over longer distances, leaving the sprinting cheetah too tired to keep up.
