Pronghorn

Pronghorn are the last living members of an ancient lineage of distinctly North American animals. They are an iconic species easily spotted at American Prairie, despite remaining at historically low abundances.

Running at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour, they are also one of North America’s fastest land mammals. One herd has been shown to undertake the continent’s second longest land migration (of up to 500 miles round-trip). Because they cover so much ground, and therefore require large areas of intact prairie, pronghorn are a strong indicator species, meaning that their reaction to influences like human activity can help scientists assess how other species might also be affected.