Pronghorn

My friends and I saw only a handful of these beautiful Pronghorns when we were travelling in SE Alberta a few days ago. Most of them were very distant, but these two were close enough to photograph. They are timid creatures and so keep well away from people. Taken on 21 September 2013, on the way to Foremost.

"Though not an antelope, it is often known colloquially in North America as the prong buck, pronghorn antelope, or simply antelope. It is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae. During the Pleistocene period, 12 antilocaprid species existed in North America. About five existed when humans entered North America [citation needed] and all but A. americana are now extinct." From Wikipedia.

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronghorn

"Pronghorns are found in the prairie life zone of southeastern Alberta, where they are at the northern limit of their North American range. Pronghorn are classified as Sensitive in the General Status of Alberta Wild Species report. Sensitive populations are highly susceptible to extreme climatic conditions. Found mainly in the southeastern portion of the province. Cultivation of native prairie threatens habitat.

Though it sometimes bears the name, the pronghorn is not a true antelope. True antelope have permanent, unbranched horns. The horns of the pronghorn are unique in that they are branched, or pronged, and they are not permanent. The outer sheath or "horn," composed mainly of hair, is shed every fall." From Alberta Fish & Wildlife.

srd.alberta.ca/FishWildlife/WildSpecies/Mammals/WildCattleRelated/Pronghorn.aspx

animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/antelope/