Antilocapridae

Antilocapridae is a small family of even-toed mammals in the order Artiodactyla, native to North America. It includes the living pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and a number of extinct species and genera known from fossil records across the continent. The pronghorn is the sole living member of this family, and it is sometimes called an antelope, though it is not a true member of that group.

A distinguishing feature of Antilocapridae is its horn structure. Horns consist of a bony core that grows from the skull and a sheath of keratin that is shed annually, a trait shared by both sexes in this family. In males the horns are typically larger and used in combat during the mating season; female horns are generally smaller. Members of the family are medium-sized with slender legs and large eyes adapted for detecting predators in open habitats.

Distribution and habitat today are centered in western North America, including grasslands, deserts, and sagebrush regions from southern Canada to northern Mexico. Some populations undertake seasonal migrations across open country in pursuit of forage and water.

Ecology and behavior: Antilocapra americana is primarily herbivorous, feeding on grasses and forbs. They exemplify speed and endurance, capable of high sustained speeds to escape predators. Socially, they form mixed-species and single-species herds, with seasonal shifts and bachelor groups.

Evolution and paleontology: The Antilocapridae has a rich North American fossil record with several extinct genera and species dating back to the Miocene. The modern pronghorn represents the surviving lineage of a once-diverse group.

Conservation: The pronghorn is currently listed as Least Concern by major conservation organizations, though regional populations face threats from habitat fragmentation, drought, and disease.