The Sonoran pronghorn (Antilocapra americana sonoriensis) is a subspecies of the American pronghorn (Antilocapra americana) and is native to the Sonoran Desert in southwestern Arizona (USA) and northwestern Mexico. It’s one of the rarest and most endangered large mammals in North America.
Key Facts:
- Scientific Name: Antilocapra americana sonoriensis
- Common Name: Sonoran pronghorn
- Status: Endangered (U.S. Endangered Species Act)
- Habitat: Arid desert scrublands of the Sonoran Desert
- Range: Southwestern Arizona (especially within the Cabeza Prieta National Wildlife Refuge, Barry M. Goldwater Range, and Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument) and northern Sonora, Mexico
Physical Description:
- Smaller and lighter-colored than other pronghorn subspecies
- Adapted to extreme desert conditions
- Males have prominent black horns that curve backward
Behavior and Ecology:
- Diet: Herbivorous, feeding on desert shrubs, cacti, and forbs
- Water: Can survive long periods without direct water, obtaining moisture from food
- Speed: Like other pronghorns, very fast—can reach speeds up to 55 mph (88 km/h)
Conservation:
- Numbers declined dramatically due to drought, habitat fragmentation, and human development
- A major recovery effort began after a severe population crash in the early 2000s (fewer than 25 individuals in the U.S.)
- Recovery actions include:
- Captive breeding and release
- Water provisioning
- Habitat protection
- Cross-border collaboration with Mexico
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