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Hoofed Mammals. Hoofed Mammals. Wild species are found in North America Have hooves made of tough horn-like material Another name for a mammal with hooves – ungulate All hoofed mammals except horses and burros are cloven-hooved (hoof is divided into two parts. Pronghorn. Pronghorn.
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Hoofed Mammals • Wild species are found in North America • Have hooves made of tough horn-like material • Another name for a mammal with hooves – ungulate • All hoofed mammals except horses and burros are cloven-hooved (hoof is divided into two parts
Pronghorn • Often called an antelope • Not a member of the same family as the true antelopes around the rest of the world • Not a member of the deer family • Live in deserts and plains where terrain is relatively flat • Herbivores • Best defenses are eyesight and speed • - Can run up to 50 mph for short distances • Small brown animal with white undermarkings
Pronghorn • Horns shed in the fall • Both males and females have horns • Buck’s horns are bigger than doe’s horns • Young are born in late spring or early summer (twins are common)
Moose • Largest member of deer family • May be nearly 8’ tall at shoulder and weigh 1800 lbs. • Antlers may reach 6 feet across • Prefer to live alone in areas where there is abundant water
Moose • Feed on lush vegetation and water plants • Bulls battle one another for cows during breeding season and relaxed rest of year • - Calves are born in spring • Cows are very protective of calves
Elk • Popular game animals which range from Canada to western U.S. • Reach 5’ at shoulder and mature bulls weigh 800 lbs. • Bulls have large antlers that shed every year • + Use for protection from predators and battling during the rut (mating season) • + Use a whistling call to challenge another bull and attract cows
Elk • Calves are born in May or June • + Camouglaged by white spots on their backs • + Most vulnerable throughout lifetime in first few weeks of life • Prefer mountains and forest habitat, as they graze on grasses, twigs, and bark
White-Tailed Deer • Most widely distributed in North America than any other deer • 4 feet tall at shoulder • Large buck can weigh 300 lbs. • Named for white color of hair on lower surface of its tail
White-Tailed Deer • When excited, it waves its tail like a white flag and snorts a call of alarm as it bounds to safety • Has a reputation among hunters for being crafty
Mule Deer • Distinguished from other deer by the branched beams of the antlers and a white rump and tail • Tail is short with a black tip • Holds its tail down as it runs • Large ears
Mule Deer • Mature buck weighs close to 300 lbs • Does weigh around 200 pounds • Mating occurs in fall and young are born in early summer • Most births are twins, with some singles and triplets • Mostly in the western U.S. and Canada
Bison • Among largest big game animals in world • * Near 6’ tall at shoulder and weigh over a ton • Traveled in herds of nearly several hundred thousand before declining to near extinction • Now range in scattered areas of central and western U.S. and Canada
Bison • Cows give birth in spring to single calves weighing 30 to 40 pounds • Mature animals have short necks, distinct humps on the shoulders, crescent-shaped horns and shaggy, brown coats
Bighorn Sheep • Live among the cliffs and ledges of some of the most rugged mountains on the North American continent • Eat many different types of vegetation • Band together in small groups with ewes and lambs living separately from rams during much of the year
Bighorn Sheep • During breeding season, the most dominant rams battle for ewes • * Crash of their horns can be heard for miles • Rams are polygamous – mate with several ewes • Brown in color with white rump patches • Mature rams weigh up to 300 lbs and stand to 3.5 feet at shoulder
Mountain Goat • Occupy habitats at high altitudes among the rocks above the timberline • Range extends from Alaska to Idaho and Montana • Billy goats have spiked horns they use to defend themselves and fight for females
Mountain Goat • Large mature billy goats are often close to 3.5 feet tall at shoulder • White in color and weigh up to 300 pounds • Are extremely agile and coordinated • Only a few hunting permits outside of Alaska are issued for these animals each year.
Wild Burro • Grand Canyon is home to this wild species • Example of a domesticated animal returning to a wild state