Embark on an unforgettable wildlife adventure with Teton Science Schools Wildlife Expeditions this July and see pronghorn, who have one of the most unique migrations in Grand Teton National Park. Pronghorn, also known as prongbuck or antelope, are fleet-footed herbivores with a rich evolutionary history intertwined with the American cheetah, an extinct predator.
Pronghorn are North America’s fastest land mammal, capable of reaching speeds of up to 45 mph! “This speed and endurance…is a relic capability from natural selection on ancient pronghorn when they lived with faster predators such as the North American cheetah (Miracinonyx trumani) and hyena (Chasmaporthetes ossifragus) for millions of years.” The pronghorn’s ability to outrun predators like the cheetah played a crucial role in their survival.
Every year, pronghorn embark on a spectacular migration across the Jackson Hole valley, seeking lush summer pastures in Grand Teton National Park.
“Pronghorn make some of the longest seasonal round-trip movements (called migrations) of any ungulate in the contiguous United States. One herd in western Wyoming migrates each autumn from Grand Teton National Park about 100 miles (161 kilometers) south to the upper Green River basin during the winter months. They return to the Park along the same corridor the following spring. Other pronghorn populations migrate shorter distances of 5 to 30 miles (8 to 48 kilometers), or even not at all (non-migratory.)”
Teton Science Schools Wildlife Expeditions offers a unique opportunity to experience the pronghorn migration firsthand. Our knowledgeable guides will share their insights into pronghorn behavior, ecology, and ongoing conservation efforts to protect these remarkable creatures and many others.
Our expeditions are designed for all ages and adventure levels, offering an unforgettable opportunity to learn about the ecology, history, biology, and botany of the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem.
For more information and to book your Teton Science Schools Wildlife Expeditions adventure, visit our website or call us today.(877) 404- 6626.
Sources: https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/nature/upload/download_YELLOWSTONE-PRONGHORN-BOOK.pdf
Map: Path of the Pronghorn migration corridor courtesy of the Wildlife Conservation Society
https://beingwildjh.com/wildlife-champions/wildlife-advocates/success-stories/path-of-the-pronghorn/
Path of the Pronghorn from NFWF
