The world of animals is amazing. There are so many different species and they all have special adaptations that we can’t even imagine having. There is so much to learn and understand that we can never stop learning.

We have some very special animals here in Colorado; we are very lucky to live in and around their homes. We will learn about a species that is well known here in Colorado. These animals also have a misnomer that has been attached to them. What is a misnomer?

A misnomer is when something is misnamed or isn’t quite accurate or correct. One example would be the adorable prairie dog. We know that they are, of course, not dogs at all. They instead earned this name by the habitat that they live in and the adorable sounds they make when warning of an intruder. So the name is a misnomer.

The pronghorn

What a beautiful and amazing animal the pronghorn is! They are often called pronghorn antelope, American antelope, or just antelope. However, this is a misnomer. True antelope are not found in the United States. Instead, they are found in Africa and Eurasia. There are over 90 different species. The antelope is in a very large family called Bovidae; they can be smallish, about the size of a pronghorn, up to thousands of pounds. They have actual horns (meaning they are for life, they don’t shed yearly). These horns can grow to almost 30 inches long.

Now let’s take a closer look at the pronghorn. Pronghorns are incredibly fast; they can run up to 60 mph – what an amazing adaptation! This makes the pronghorn the fastest land mammal in North America. That is pretty impressive. They live adapted to their biome, which is grasslands or prairie.

The pronghorn also has some herds that don’t need to migrate, while others migrate as far as 150 miles. They are so unique that they are the only species in their family. Although they are the only species, there are five sub-species in North America. It’s quite a name: Antilocapridae Americana, close relative to giraffids (Giraffidae). Hmmm, what animals do you think that would include? It is fun to break down the scientific names of animals that are based in Latin. Broken down, the name in English means American goat- antelope (there is that misnomer again).

The pronghorn is often slowed down by the fences that now are all over the prairies. You may get a chance to see a pronghorn running and then dipping under or through the line of barbed wire. These animals were not built for jumping (although not impossible) and find it easier to go through, which can be dangerous.

One of the most amazing adaptations or characteristics of pronghorns is their antlers…wait, no, they aren’t antlers, because antlers are grown and shed yearly. Ok, let’s try that again: their horns…wait, wait, hold on! That isn’t right either. Horns are something that an animal has its entire life that also don’t branch off.

This is just one more reason that the pronghorn has a family of its own. The “horn” on the pronghorn is unique because it has a permanent core on the inside and also a sheath that is regrown yearly. So these appendages are neither true antlers or true horns.

The sheath has a tine that points forward. The sheath usually can grow to almost 10 inches long. Have a look at a piece of paper: it’s almost as long as your paper. The females will also grow these “horns”; however, they will be closer to five inches long.

I would love to keep writing and sharing about the pronghorn and the different true antelope in Africa and Eurasia. It would be great to take what you have learned today and go on an investigation. Learn more about the many different types of true antelope, or maybe more about pronghorns. You could also investigate the family of giraffes. Happy investigating!

I look forward to your questions.

Next time I am going to talk a little about one of my most favorite animals ever. Here is a hint: An animal that you don’t expect to be the closest relative to the elephant.

I look forward to hearing from you! Just send in your questions to EccoBelize22@yahoo.com.