Pronghorn - North Dakota Game And Fish

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Pronghorn

Fact Sheet
Scientific Name	Antilocapra americana
Description	Averages 35 inches at the shoulder (range 32-41 inches). Bucks average 120 pounds (range 100-135 pounds); does average 110 pounds (range 90-125 pounds). Coat rusty-brown and tan, with white neckbands, belly and rump. Black cheek patch on males. On males, horns extend past ears (often 12 inches or more), curving back, with a single prong rising from the upper half of the horn and pointing forward. Horns on females consist of only a small cone less than an inch long.
Tracks	Pronghorn tracks: Front and rear tracks similar size 2-1/8" - 3-1/2" L, 1-1/2" - 2-1/4" W. Walking stride: 17" - 26"
Habitat	Pronghorn are a landscape scale species that require large blocks of open continuous habitat. Sagebrush plains and shortgrass prairie associated with open terrain are common places they call home.
Food	Pronghorn are herbivores. Their favorite food consists of a variety of forbs, followed by grass species and shrubs. Some of the common plants they eat include milk vetch, aster, blue grama, wheat grasses and sagebrush.
Range	Primary range in the extreme southwestern part of the state (Bowman and Slope counties), with diminishing numbers north and east. Uncommon north and east of the Missouri River.
Mating	Breeding peaks in mid-September, with bucks tending harems of 5-20 or more does. No permanent pair bonds. Gestation averages 252 days (delayed implantation of the egg).
Young	One to three fawns (usually two) born late May to late June, and weighing about 8 pounds. Coat tan, with black on hair tips.
Habits	Most active at dawn and dusk, but frequently seen in the open throughout the day. Does typically in groups of 10 or more. Outside of the breeding season, males usually in small bachelor groups.
Fun Facts	Reaching speeds of more than 40 miles per hour, pronghorn are the fastest land mammal in North America. Pronghorn migrate 44 miles on average from summer to winter range and have been documented to move as far as 157 miles. Land management activities that fragment the landscape will likely be detrimental to the long-term persistence of pronghorn in the state.

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