Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

What is the general concensus, is a pronghorn antelope really an antelope or is it a pronghorn? Any help settling an ongoing "discussion" would be appreciated.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

Im confused on the question...its both.[&:]

A Pronghorn Antelope is both a Pronghorn...and an Antelope.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

According to the information below, I would have say a Pronghornis not an antelope. The antelope is part of the FamilyBovidae.The Pronghorn is part of thefamilyAntilocapridae.

Thepronghorn(Antilocapra americana), alsopronghorn antelopeorprong buck,[2]is a species ofungulatemammalnative to interior westernNorth America. It is the only surviving member of thefamilyAntilocapridae.[3]


Antilocapridaeis a family ofartiodactylsendemic toNorth America. Their closestextantrelatives are thegiraffids. Only one species, thepronghorn(Antilocapra americana), is living today; all other members of the family areextinct. The living pronghorn is a smallruminantmammal resembling an antelope. It bears small, forked horns.

In most respects, antilocaprids resemble other ruminants. They have a complex, four-chambered stomach for digesting tough plant matter, cloven hooves, and a similar body shape to antelopes. Their horns resemble those of thebovids, in that they have a true horny sheath, but, uniquely, they are shed outside the breeding season, and subsequently regrown. Their lateral toes are even further diminished than in bovids, with the digits themselves being entirely lost, and only thecannon bonesremaining. Antilocaprids have the samedental formulaas most other ruminants:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pronghorn(reference)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Antilocapridae(reference)

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

The Pronghorn is NOT a true antelope. They are one of a kind.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

It is my understanding that while they are "CALLED" Antelope primarily due to appearance, they are actually a species of their own. Native to the North American Plains states.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

They are a goat....

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

They are tasty!!

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

Yes officially they're not a goat nor an antelope, call them whatever you'd like...

as said above...

It is the only surviving member of thefamilyAntilocapridae.[3]

So they are truly unique.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

All animals in North America have a counterpart on another continent somewhere, except the mountain beaver and the Pronghorn. Nowhere else in the world does an equal exist.

RE: Is a pronghorn really an antelope?
 

Aint ever seen a mountain beaver but some of dem city beaver sure look fine.