PronghornWhile most people would associate the prairie with the American Bison, the most characteristic large mammal of the Great Plains is the Pronghorn. Pronghorns are true American natives, found nowhere else in the world. they have roamed the plains and deserts of North America for at least the last million years in substantially the same form. One can truly call this animal unique: he is the lone member of his family, Antilocapra americana, which literally means the American goat-antelope.
The Pronghorn's speed and its remarkable eyesight are adaptations for life on the prairie. It needs to be able to spot predators such as coyotes and wolves as far away as possible. And, since there is no cover for it to hide in, it needs to be able to outrun any predators that manage to sneak within striking range. It can do both easily: it is the fastest land mammal in the world. It can sprint as fast as 60 mph and can sustain a speed of 30 mph for miles! The African Cheetah is often credited with being the fastest, but it is only a sprinter who flags out after a few hundred yards. No other land mammal can keep up with the Pronghorn over a long distance.
Pronghorns will flare out the white hairs on their rump when alarmed. This serves as a warning to the other members of the herd.
The young are born in late May or early June with about 60% of the births being twins. At birth, fawns weigh 5 to 6 pounds and lack the spots that are characteristic of deer and elk fawns. The newborn do not have an odor and instinctively lie motionless for hours. This is their main defense from predators such as bobcats, eagles, and coyotes.
