| This is pretty classic habitat in which to find a
pronghorn. But one significant challenge is that pronghorn tracks can be
difficult-to-impossible to distinguish from deer. However, one
difference you can look for are the tips of the toes (pronghorns have
sharper tips). Unfortunately, that did not show in these particular
tracks.
Another difference to check for is the outline of the outer hoof
wall. Deer cleaves (hooves) generally produce a track with an outline
that is either straight or convex. Pronghorn tracks can display a more
"swirly" outline - convex near the front, curving to concave near the
middle, then convex again near the back, giving the back of the cleave a
bulbous appearance. You can sort of see this in Photos 34B / 34C, but
it’s so subtle in this case that if I had simply come across the tracks
without seeing the pronghorn, I would not have been able to rule out
deer, or even a small bighorn sheep which also inhabit this section of
the park.
Anyway, it made for a very interesting afternoon; hope you enjoyed
the photos. |
