Everyone knows the fastest land animal in the world is the cheetah, but not everyone knows the second fastest animal in the world is the North American Pronghorn Antelope. Pronghorns can run up to 55 mph for .5 miles. They can run 35 mph for up to 4 miles. In fact, they can run at high speeds for more sustained periods than African Cheetahs.
This is a puzzling ability because no predator in North America can run fast enough to catch a pronghorn, so why is it necessary for pronghorns to run this fast?
Biologists believe that pronghorns evolved to run these speeds in order to evade the now extinct American Cheetah.
During the Pleistocene era, there were twelve species of pronghorns in North America. By the time humans settled on the continent there were five.
We are now left with one remaining species. Pronghorns are in fact not antelopes at all but a unique species named Antilocapra Americana. Handsome creatures aren’t they?
Pronghorns range all over the American west, into Canada and northern Mexico.
They have the longest land migration of any species in the continental US.
They migrate 300 miles roundtrip, between Wyoming’s Upper Green River Basin,
and Grand Teton National Park.
Cheers to you from the fascinating Antilocapra Americana~
Interesting information, Cindy. Thanks for sharing. Beautiful pictures. 🙂
Very pleased you enjoyed and cheers to you!
Great facts and gorgeous pictures! Thanks for sharing!
Thank you more for appreciating the Pronghorns!
If they can run faster than a speeding bullet that should help their survival since there is a predator out there that doesn’t have to run to catch its prey.
Exactly, although I don’t think evolution has worked quickly enough to have adapted them for escaping cars, it is still in their best interest to be able too!
Gorgeous! I’ve always loved pronghorn. Can’t believe you got so close that you could capture their beautifully long eyelashes!
Aren’t they gorgeous! Their eyelashes are much like giraffes who have the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen.
Oh I agree! I had the opportunity once to get a close-up of a baby giraffe’s face with extra long eyelashes. Classic!
❤
What a beautiful story! And Antilocapra is very cute! Also, a good runner.
So pleased you like him!
On my bucket list
Yay! You will be very glad when you go~
Lovely basin. Wishing you all things good this year, C.
Thank you & Happy New Year to you my friend!