IMPALA

An 'impala' (''Aepyceros melampus'' Greek ''aipos'' "high" ''ceros'' "horn" + ''melas'' "black" ''pous'' "foot") is a medium-sized African antelope. The name 'impala' comes from the Zulu language. They are found in savannas in Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Zimbabwe, southern Angola, northeastern South Africa and Uganda (the source of that country's capital city's name - Kampala).

Contents

Appearance

Habits

Social structure

References

External links

Appearance

Average weight for an Impala is approximately 75 kilograms. They are reddish-brown in color with lighter flanks, and have white underbellies. Males have lyre-shaped horns which can reach up to 90 centimeters in length. When frightened or startled the whole herd starts leaping about in order to confuse their predator. They can jump distances more than 9 meters (30 feet) and 2.5 meters (8 feet) high. They are prey to almost every large predator.

Habits

Impala are among the dominant species in many savannas. They are gregarious creatures and are usually found in herds, often a male with many females, although an ewe will leave the herd to give birth. Their food consists of a mixture of grasses and leaves. Herds will use specific areas for their excrement. Impala are active during both day and night.
Impala are dependent on water, and a herd is normally an indicator of water close by.

Social structure

Young male impala form bachelor herds of around thirty individuals. Females and young form herds of up to two hundred individuals. Mature males hold territories, and lead any female herds that wander into their territory.

References

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External links

★ Impala: Wildlife summary from the African Wildlife Foundation

★ Pictures of the Impala