Pronghorn

A pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is a hoofed mammal native to the grasslands and deserts of western and central North America. Although it is commonly called the American antelope, it is not a true antelope and is the sole surviving member of its family, Antilocapridae. The pronghorn is the fastest land animal in North America.

The pronghorn has a tan or reddish-brown coat with a white underside, throat, and rump. It has a short tail and large ears. Its most distinctive feature is its horns. Both males and females have horns that are made of a bony core with a sheath of keratin that is shed annually, a unique trait not seen in other horned animals. The males' horns are larger and have a forward-pointing fork, or prong, which gives the animal its name.

Pronghorns are found in open, arid habitats, including grasslands, deserts, and sagebrush plains. They are herbivores that primarily eat shrubs, grasses, and forbs. Their diet is highly adaptable to the environment and can include plants that are toxic to other animals.

The pronghorn is renowned for its incredible speed, capable of reaching up to 55 miles per hour (88 km/h). It has long legs, a lightweight skeleton, and a large heart and lungs, all of which are adaptations for a high-speed sprint over long distances. While it is not as fast as the cheetah over short distances, it can maintain a high speed for much longer, making it an endurance runner built to outlast predators.