Merriamoceros (SciiFii)

The broad-fronted pronghorn (Merriamoceros prolixus) is a species of pronghorn that originally lived in California during the Early Miocene as an extinct species, Merriamoceros coronatus, and the genus itself was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and introduced throughout the modern open woodlands, grasslands, shrublands, and scrublands across the western United States and Canada to help boost biodiversity. The broad-fronted pronghorn is a relatively small pronghorn; it stands 60–70 centimeters (24–28 inches) at the shoulder. Males weigh 20–35 kilograms (44–77 lbs), while the slightly lighter females weigh 15–25 kilograms (33–55 lbs). The broad-fronted pronghorn is, like its relatives, a quadrupedal herbivore and primarily grazes on the grassy plains, although it is an occasional browser as well. The broad-fronted pronghorn is covered in a short fur during the summer, which is thicker during the winter, and is a very fast runner. The broad-fronted pronghorn has some of the most intricate cranial appendages in the family, where the tines are on top and along the outside edges of the horns. Like related species, these are initially covered in skin, which are gradually rubbed off to expose the bone. Broad-fronted pronghorns form mixed-sex herds in the winter. In early spring, the herds break up, with young males forming bachelor groups, females forming harems, and adult males living solitarily. Some female bands share the same summer range, and bachelor male bands form between spring and fall. Females form dominance hierarchies with few circular relationships. Dominant females aggressively displace other females from feeding sites. Adult males either defend a fixed territory that females may enter, or defend a harem of females. A broad-fronted pronghorn may change mating strategies depending on environmental or demographic conditions. Where precipitation is high, adult males tend to be territorial and maintain their territories with scent marking, vocalizing, and challenging intruders. In these systems, territorial males have access to better resources than bachelor males. Females also employ different mating strategies. "Sampling" females visit several males and remain with each for a short time before switching to the next male at an increasing rate as estrous approaches. "Inciting" females behave as samplers until estrous, and then incite conflicts between males, watching and then mating with the winners. Before fighting, males try to intimidate each other. If intimidation fails, they lock horns and try to injure each other. "Quiet" females remain with a single male in an isolated area throughout estrous. Females continue this mating behavior for two to three weeks. When courting an estrous female, a male broad-fronted pronghorn approaches her while softly vocalizing and waving his head side to side, displaying his cheek patches. The scent glands on the broad-fronted pronghorn are on either side of the jaw, between the hooves, and on the rump. A receptive female remains motionless, sniffs his scent gland, and then allows the male to mount her. Broad-fronted fronghorns have a gestation period of 6-7 months. They breed in mid-September, and the doe carries her fawn until late April. The gestation period is around six weeks longer than that of the white-tailed deer. Females usually bear within a few days of each other. Twin fawns are common. Newborn broad-fronted pronghorns weigh 2–4 kg (4.4–8.8 lbs), most commonly 3 kg (6.6 lbs). In their first 21–26 days, fawns spend time hiding in vegetation. Fawns interact with their mothers for 20–25 minutes a day; this continues even when the fawn joins a nursery. The females nurse, groom, and lead their young to food and water, as well as keep predators away from them. Females usually nurse the young about three times a day. Males are weaned 2–3 weeks earlier than females. Sexual maturity is reached at 15 to 16 months, though males rarely breed until three years old. Their lifespan is typically up to 16 years, rarely 22 years. The conservation status of the broad-fronted pronghorn is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the broad-fronted pronghorn's wide range.