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Sonoran pronghorn

The Shy Sonoran Pronghorn

  • 16 September, 2019
  • Critter Man
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Daily Critter Facts

The Sonoran pronghorn is native to the Sonoran desert. Hence the name. They prefer arroyos, creosote scrub bajadas, desert washes, and grassland steppe. These endangered animals were extirpated from their range in California in 1950 due to hunting, drought, and loss of habitat (due to agricultural needs). Another name for these rare creatures is “desert ghost”, since they are so hard to find and seem to almost disappear at the first hint of danger.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Antilocapra americana sonoriensis
Weight: Up to 130 lbs.
Length: 57 inches
Height: Up to 3 feet (at the shoulder)
Lifespan: Up to 10 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) They are preyed on my coyotes, bobcats, and golden eagles. No research has been done yet, that I can find, on the impact the Mexican wolf has had on the species.

2.) Only about 180 of these critters currently are believed to exist in the United States with an additional 240 in Sonoran Mexico. These numbers are up from an approximated 21 individuals in 2002!

3.) Both males and females have similar patterns and both have horns. The male’s horns can reach up to 12 inches.

4.) With eyes located high on their head and excellent eyesight, these pronghorns can spot predators stationed miles away!

5.) Pronghorns have a 4 part stomach, like cows, that allows them to digest a variety of desert vegetation that makes up most of their herbivorous (eats only plant matter) diet. As desert vegetation dries up in summer, water becomes very important for digestive purposes and pronghorn depend on cholla fruits as a source of moisture.

But wait, there’s more on the Sonoran pronghorn!

6.) Females can breed at 16 months of age and males at 1 year.

7.) When food is abundant females (or does) can deliver twins. Typically though they give birth to a single fawn.

Did you know…?
The Sonoran pronghorn can run at speeds of up to 60 mph! Pronghorns don’t jump, so they rely on speed to evade predation.

8.) Fawns can stand not long after birth, but remain in a laying position, hidden in the grasses and shrubs. Did you know that the fawns don’t emit any smell? This helps keep them hidden from would-be predators.

Now a Short Sonoran Pronghorn Video!

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters, right here!

Be sure to share & comment below!

ArizonaMexicopredatorpreypronghornSonoraSonoran pronghorn
Critter Man

With over 45 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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