The Fastest Land Animal In Texas Can Run Up To 60 Miles Per Hour

When you think of the fastest animals on land, you probably remember that cheetahs reign supreme. But there are no cheetahs outside of zoos here in Texas.

Well, there may be some at private residences but that is illegal. So which animal can run free and run the fastest?

What Is The Fastest Animal In Texas?

The Pronghorn "antelope" is the fastest animal in North America, and we have these majestic creatures wild and free here in Texas. If you want a chance to spot one, you'll have to visit, "the deserts of the Trans-Pecos and the high plains of the Panhandle" according to the Texas Department of Parks and Wildlife.

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Even though many folks refer to the pronghorn as an antelope, they are actually the only species in their scientific family. Their closest living relatives are giraffes and okapi.

The Pronghorn Truly Is Fast

Pronghorns can reach a speed of 60 miles per hour. What makes that even more remarkable is that they can maintain that speed:

When chased by a car, one pronghorn maintained a speed of 60 MPH for two miles before it dropped to 50 MPH and then slacked of to a running speed of 40 MPH. In many instances these fleet-footed animals have averaged 35 MPH for distances as great as twenty-seven miles.

For reference, the cheetah can only reach its highest speed of 75 miles per hour for less than a third of a mile. So if a pronghorn had enough of a headstart, the cheetah would go hungry.

Pronghorns Are Unique In Other Ways

Even though they look like antlers, the pronghorn's lovely head ornaments are just that: horns. They are the only animal in the world with horns that branch and the only horned animal that sheds their horns each year.

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Both males and females can have horns but the males are more elaborate.

Pronghorns have excellent vision, making their preferred habitat ideal- they love the long expanses of prairie, which is why they love places like the area near Marfa and Alpine.

Haven't fallen in love with the pronghorn yet? You will after you see these pictures, particularly of the babies!