Pronghorn Diets Relative to Forage Availability in Northeastern Colorado

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Abstract
Studies were conducted [in Colorado, USA] to determine the botanical composition of the diet of tame pronghorns (Antilocapra americana) on a grama-buffalo grass (Bouteloua-Buchloe) prairie under light and heavy cattle grazing regimes. Pronghorns consume a wide variety of plant species when available. The diet was composed of 44, 54 and 2 (light use treatment) and 52, 43 and 5 (heavy use treatment) percent grass, forbs and shrubs, respectively. Comparisons of foods eaten by tame and wild pronghorns indicated some differences in forage preferences, but only fringed sagewort (Artemisia frigida) occurred at a significantly (P < 0.05) different frequency. Comparisons of forage preferences of 3 wild herds of pronghorns also indicated differences in plant species. A comparison of foods eaten by 4 ungulates grazing together showed that pronghorn diets were less similar to bison (Bison bison) and cattle diets than to domestic sheep diets.

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