Pronghorn are present in Colorado, thriving across various landscapes. These unique North American mammals are a notable part of Colorado’s diverse wildlife. This article explores where to find and identify them, along with their ecology and conservation.
Pronghorn in Colorado: Where to Find Them
Pronghorn inhabit most of their historic range in Colorado, with widespread distribution across the eastern plains. They prefer open plains, grasslands, and semi-desert shrublands with clear visibility. They are abundant in shortgrass or mixed-grass prairies, where their speed and keen eyesight are advantageous.
Beyond the eastern plains, pronghorn are also found in mountain valleys and sagebrush rangelands in northwestern Colorado. Specific areas include the Comanche National Grasslands, Pawnee National Grasslands, and Browns Park State Wildlife Areas. Colorado Parks and Wildlife estimated the statewide population to be around 73,000 pronghorn in 2022, with over 42% residing in southeastern Colorado.
Identifying Colorado’s Pronghorn
Pronghorn have distinctive physical characteristics that set them apart from other wildlife, such as deer. They have a tan to reddish-brown body with prominent white markings on their rumps, bellies, and across their throats, including two white bands on the neck. Adult males weigh between 88-143 pounds and stand about 3 feet tall at the shoulder; females are slightly smaller.
A defining feature is their unique horn structure; both males and females have horns, but males’ horns are larger (10-17 inches) and feature a forward-pointing prong. Unlike deer, which shed solid antlers annually, pronghorn shed only the keratinous outer sheath of their horns, retaining a bony core. Males also display a small black patch of hair at the angle of the jaw and black markings on the face.
Pronghorn Ecology and Conservation Efforts
Pronghorn are the fastest land mammal in North America, reaching speeds up to 60 miles per hour and sustaining high speeds over long distances. This speed evolved as a defense against now-extinct predators like the American cheetah. Their diet consists of forbs, shrubs like sagebrush, and some grasses, allowing them to utilize plants often unpalatable to livestock.
Conservation efforts have restored pronghorn populations, which were severely reduced by the early 1900s. Colorado Parks and Wildlife (CPW) manages pronghorn populations through herd management plans, setting objectives for population numbers and sex ratios. These plans involve public input and regulate hunting licenses to ensure sustainable populations.