A Pronghorn on the Prairie

What is that animal standing in the tall grass? It is a pronghorn on a Wyoming prairie.

The land is wide and open. A few grasses grow near the pronghorn. Hills rise far away.

The pronghorn has long, thin legs. Its back is tan, and its belly is white. It has a white patch on its rump, too.

A pronghorn has big eyes on the sides of its head. They help it see across the open land. It can spot danger from far away.

Both male and female pronghorns have horns. The horns of males are usually much larger. A male’s horns have a short point that sticks out in front.

Pronghorns eat plants. They may eat grasses, but they also eat leaves and other parts of low plants. They move from place to place to find food.

The prairie can be a hard place to live. In summer, the sun can make the land hot and dry. In winter, cold winds blow across it.

Pronghorns have thick coats that help keep them warm in winter. Their hair can trap air close to their skin. This helps keep the cold out.

A pronghorn can run very fast. If it sees danger, it may race away on its long legs. It can keep running for a long time, too.

For now, the pronghorn stands still. It looks out over the grass and the wide Wyoming land.