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|pop=1,000,000 (2011 est.)
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|conservation=Least concern<ref>http://www.iucnredlist.org/details/1677/0</ref>
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The '''pronghorn''' (''Antilocapra americana'') is a species of hoofed mammal native only to the grassland areas of North American, and is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae. Once as numerous on the plains as [[bison]], their numbers were severely-reduced through over-hunting and the placement of cattle fencing; they have since rebounded, but with three subspecies listed as endangered.
The '''pronghorn''' (''Antilocapra americana'') is a species of hoofed mammal native only to the grassland areas of North American, and is the only surviving member of the family Antilocapridae. Once as numerous on the plains as [[bison]], their numbers were severely-reduced through over-hunting and the placement of cattle fencing; they have since rebounded, but with two subspecies listed as endangered.
==Description==
==Description==
==Habitat==
==Habitat==
Pronghorns are an open plains mammal, predominantly found in the Great Plains regions of the western United States and southern Canada. Three subspecies are found in the scrub and desert regions of Arizona and Mexico. They prefer low vegetation, no higher than about thirty inches, as they are watchful for predators.
Pronghorns are an open plains mammal, predominantly found in the Great Plains regions of the western United States and southern Canada. Three subspecies are found in the scrub and desert regions of Arizona and Mexico. They prefer low vegetation, no higher than about thirty inches, as they are watchful for predators.
==Threats==
As of 2011 the species as a whole has been estimated to have a population of 1,000,000 animals; as a result the ICUN has listed it as least concern. At one time the population was believed to be at least 35,000,000 about the beginning of the 19th century, making the pronghorn the most numerous plains animal after the bison. Severe over-hunting in addition to habitat loss (agriculture, urban expansion, and mining) reduced numbers to less than 20,000; conservation efforts brought the species back up to current levels.
Two subspecies are listed as endangered: ''A. a. sonoriensis'' and ''A. a. peninsularis''. Both subspecies are fragmented within their range and have populations of less than 400 animals each. Illegal hunting, roads, altering of habitat in favor of livestock as well as fencing which hinders migration has been cited as factors, with the USFWS taking steps to plan a recovery.<ref>https://www.fws.gov/southwest/es/Documents/SpeciesDocs/SonoranPronghorn/SonoranPronghorn_DraftRecoveryPlan_Final_December2014.pdf</ref> Added are are the proposed border wall between the United States and Mexico, as well as watch towers; both of which would be meant to hinder illegal human immigration.<ref>http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/14/endangered-animal-stalling-border-security-efforts-arizona/</ref> Left unsaid by these environmentalists is the human waste and debris left behind by these migrants, which directly and immediately affects pronghorn habitat.<ref>http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/2532985/posts</ref><ref>http://www.diggersrealm.com/mt/archives/003408.html</ref>
==References==
==References==