Antilocapra americana sonoriensis Goldman, 1945

Sonoran pronghorn

Infraspecies recognized by The Integrated Taxonomic Information System external link, T Orrell (custodian) in 
IUCN Red List Status: NOT EVALUATED external link Showing: scientific names

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Table of Contents

Morphology

Physical Description

Source and Additional Information
Supplier
Animal Diversity Web external link
Copyright
©1995-2008, The Regents of the University of Michigan and its licensors. Some rights reserved external link
Author
Lisa Ingmarsson, University of Michigan
Location
Source URL
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Citation
Ingmarsson, L. 1999. "Antilocapra americana sonoriensis" (On-line), Animal Diversity Web. Accessed October 25, 2009 at http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Antilocapra_americana_sonoriensis.html. 

 

Height: ~0.9 m at the shoulder  The Sonoran Pronghorn has the characteristic artiodactyl body form. This subspecies has a particularly light build, which contributes to its fast speed; Pronghorns are the fastest North American mammals. Females are roughly 10% smaller than males. All pronghorns have a very short, hardly noticeable tail, ears that are proportional in size to the body and with narrow points, no upper canines, and well-developed scent glands. Both males and females have horns that are specialized with a layer of hornskin covering the bony core. The horns are branched at about 2/3 of the distance between the base and the tip. However, bucks' horns are 30.5 centimeters in length, whereas does' horns are shorter than the ears and often misshapen or even absent altogether. The upperparts of the Pronghorn are a warm tan color, and the neck has a short black mane. The underparts, rump, and 2 bands across the neck are white. Less information is available about Sonoran Pronghorns than about other Antilocapra americana subspecies. However, given that A.a.sonoriensis lives in a very arid climate, it is likely that its physiology is somewhat more adapted to extreme conditions. It must endure higher temperatures, exposure to intense solar radiation, and scarcity of water and food resources. All these conditions call for more thermoregulation and a balance in hydration.

 
"Antilocapra americana sonoriensis Goldman, 1945". Encyclopedia of Life, available from "http://www.eol.org/pages/1274169". Accessed 21 Mar 2010.