Are There Wild Antelope In Texas? Exploring Texas Wildlife

Are there antelope in Texas? Yes, indeed, Texas is home to two of the five subspecies of pronghorn antelope found in North America, namely Antilocapra americana and A. mexicana. These remarkable creatures, often referred to as Texas pronghorns, can grow to be about three feet tall at the shoulder and typically weigh no more than 110 pounds when fully mature. This information was last updated on June 13, 2020. So, if you’re curious about the presence of antelope in Texas, rest assured that these two pronghorn subspecies call the state home.

Do wild antelope populations exist in the United States? Antelope populations in the United States are currently distributed sporadically but are widespread across the western regions of North America. While the overall antelope population has shown signs of recovery, it’s important to note that the status of these populations varies significantly from one region to another. To gain a clearer understanding of the current situation, we can look at data as recent as February 24, 2015.

The journey of nilgai antelope (scientifically known as Boselaphus tragocamelus Pallas) to Texas traces back to their initial arrival in the United States from India. These antelopes were originally transported to the U.S. as zoo specimens prior to the mid-1920s. However, it wasn’t until around 1930 that they were intentionally released into the South Texas region. The term “nilgaw” is derived from the Hindi language and translates to “blue bull,” a name that aptly describes the bluish hue seen in adult male nilgai antelopes. This remarkable event in 1930 marked the introduction of these animals to the Texan landscape, ultimately contributing to the intriguing presence of nilgai antelope in the region. [Source: May 1, 1995]