The pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) is the fastest land mammal in North America, capable of reaching speeds up to 55 miles per hour. This unique animal, native only to the continent’s interior, often causes confusion because its common names frequently include the misleading term “antelope.” The pronghorn is neither a true antelope nor a true deer, yet it shares common terminology with both. This article clarifies the specific names used for the different sexes and ages of this remarkable species.
The Specific Terminology for the Male Pronghorn
The adult male pronghorn is officially known as a buck, a term consistently used across wildlife biology and by state game agencies. This designation is shared with the male of many deer species, which contributes to the public misidentification of the pronghorn. The buck is distinguishable from the female by a more robust build and a noticeable black patch of hair on the neck below the ears.
The buck’s horns are significantly larger and more developed, typically measuring between 12 and 20 inches long in mature individuals. These horns are prominently forked or pronged, which gives the species its distinctive name. The male also possesses a subauricular gland beneath the ear, which is used to mark territory during the breeding season.
Standard Terminology for Females and Young
The adult female pronghorn is called a doe, aligning with the terminology used for female goats and many species of deer. Like the male, the female also possesses horns, though they are much smaller and less conspicuous. A doe’s horns are usually short, straight spikes that rarely exceed three to four inches in length and are sometimes barely visible.
The young of the pronghorn are generally referred to as fawns, or sometimes kids, terms also shared with deer and goats. Newborn fawns typically weigh between four and nine pounds at birth, with twins being a common occurrence. The use of “buck,” “doe,” and “fawn” is descriptive and common in ungulate species.
Clarifying the Pronghorn’s Unique Classification
Despite the common names it shares with deer, the pronghorn belongs to its own unique taxonomic family, Antilocapridae. It is the sole surviving member of this family, which evolved exclusively in North America. This means the pronghorn is not a true antelope (Bovidae family) nor is it a true deer (Cervidae family).
The most defining biological feature that sets the pronghorn apart is its horns, which possess qualities of both true horns and antlers. True horns, like those on cattle, grow continuously from a bony core and are never shed. Antlers, like those on deer, are completely shed and regrown annually. The pronghorn’s horns have a bony core covered by a keratinous sheath that is shed each year, making it the only animal in the world with this unique characteristic.