Antelope

In Canada, Pronghorns are found only in the southern corners of Alberta and Saskatchewan. From Canada their range extends into Oregon, California and to Northern Mexico.

Millions of pronghorns once roamed western North American with the bison, but by the early 1900s only 20,000 pronghorns remained because of hunting pressures and following a particularly devastating winter. After decades of management, numbers have been restored to the point that limited hunting is now allowed.

In times of danger, the hair on the prominent white rump patch will erect and flash a warning that is visible from some distance away. The Pronghorn is built for speed, and can run up to 90 kilometers per hour (55 miles per hour) for short bursts, and can sustain a speed of up to 60 kilometers per hour

Wire fences caused a big population decline

Pronghorns seem to be unsure of their ability to jump over obstacles, and barbed wire fences are a great barrier for them. In fact, these fences can be a deadly barrier in the winter if the Pronghorn are unable to crawl under or find a way around in order to find food or escape severe weather. There were actually special reserves established for Pronghorns in the 1940s as the population took such a drastic drop when the rangelands were first fenced.

Help from Ranchers

Now that ranchers are aware of the fencing problem, they usually leave enough room so the Pronghorn can dip beneath the lowest strand.

Traditionally, Pronghorns would wander the prairies according to the season, heading for wind-swept hills in the winter and special areas in the spring for the arrival of the kids. The spread of civilization has greatly reduced the Pronghorns roaming ability, and they haven’t adapted well to living near human populations. They usually wander about a square mile during an average day.

Other Antelope Facts

Average height 35 to 41 inches (88 to 103 centimeters) tall at the shoulder

Average weight 71 to 139 pounds (32 to 63 kilograms).
The natural predator of the Pronghorn is the coyote. The Pronghorn form large herds, and collectively they are more able to spot an approaching enemy.

Exceptional eyesight helps the Pronghorn to spot danger from up to 6 km. (3.7 miles) away. The white rump patch fans out in times of danger to warn other members of the herd.

They are most active in the early morning and late afternoon, and rest while the hot prairie sun is at its peak.

Bug crafts

A dragon fly

What to do: Cut a strip of card board about 4 to 5 inches long. Cut a pair of wings from the card board and glue them to the strip. Glue some yellow and black felt (or other color) onto it in your own design.

You will need:

Some yellow and black felt.
Glue.
Sizzors.
Cardboard.

Bears

Brown bears, also called grizzlies, are very large and powerful. They can weigh between 300 and 1,400 pounds and standing upright, can tower up to 8 feet. They are also fast and can run 35 miles per hour. Their coat color ranges from blonde to brown and black and the long outer guard hairs are often tipped with silver, giving it a grizzled appearance.

Coyotes

Coyotes are a member of the dog family. Their scientific name is ``Canis latrans``, it means ``barking dog.`` This name was given by Thomas Say in 1835. He was one of the first white men to hear the late twilight and early morning howling of this wolf like creature.

Appearance

Coyotes can be anywhere from a yellowish brown to a tawny grey in colour. Their belly is usually off~white. This colour will usually extend onto the throat area. Coyotes have a pointed muzzle and a flat forehead. The tail is quite bushy. Coyotes are between the size of a fox and a wolf.

Behavior

Coyotes are quite playful. Pups will often play~fight and wrestle. A scared coyote will hold its head low and tuck his tail between his/her legs.

When a coyote hears loud sounds it will prick its ears up. If it is another coyote, it will often reply. To us this is howling, but to a coyote it is their way of communicating. They are most active during the early morning and at twilight.

Diet

Coyotes, as you would think, are mainly carnivores. But, they will also eat fruit and insects. The carnivore part of their diet is mostly rodents, such as mice, rats and the odd rabbit. They also eat carrion. Carrion is animal carcasses that other carnivores have eaten off all they want and left it to rot.

Breeding

Coyotes start breeding at about one year. When they find a mate, it is for life. Mating takes place in about February. The pups are born 60 to 63 days later. There are usually five to seven pups, to a maximum of nineteen.

Range

Coyotes are found in most of North America, except the cold Arctic tundra. Coyotes can adapt to most climates quite well.

Coyotes are very interesting animals. Their appearance and behavior is quite similar to that of a dogs. Whenever you see a coyote, think of the storey behind that fur coat. Coyotes have survived for thousands of years, and if we take care of them, they`ll be here for thousands more. Coyotes, like all animals are part of the eco~system, and without one animal it can come crashing down. The more animals that fall, the closer we are to falling.

Raccoons

These are racoon tracks.

Raccoons are mischievous! They are nocturnal. They love crayfish, fish, turtle eggs, and frogs. They are very interesting creatures, but not many people would like one for a pet, because they want to touch and feel everything, and often they end up in making your house a mess!


-Ambie