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Wow, for the first time our Mystery photo contest does not have a winner. I didn’t think it possible but it looks like we finally stumped you! We knew it was a tough photo. We did have some excellent guesses (see the original).

The brown dots in the photo were Pronghorn “Antelopes”. A few were standing but most of them were resting in the grass with just their heads poking out. I snapped the shot while we were touring Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake last September.

Pronghorn “Antelopes” were called “antelopes” by early explorers who thought they resembled the Antelopes of Africa. It is a misnomer since the Pronghorns of the U.S. are not true antelopes nor are they related to deer. Instead, they are the last members of their own family.

Pronghorns were living on the island when it was first explored by Kit Carson and John C. Fremont in the 1800s, hence the island’s name. Ironically, over-hunting and cattle ranching on the island eradicated the native Pronghorn population. It wasn’t until 1993 that Pronghorns were reintroduced to their namesake island.

Last cool Pronghorn fact: They are the second fastest land animals in the world after the cheetah. They have been clocked running at speeds over 60 mph.

A big thank you to everyone who took a stab at it!

Click on the images below to see a larger version.

Pronghorns revealed:

Close-up of pronghorns in original image:

Alternate close-up of animals 2–7 (different image):