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Impala

Impala ewe from behindImpala leaping, Kruger National ParkGroup of Impala in Kruger Nationalpark, South AfricaImpala (Aepyceros Melampus)Impala (Aepyceros Melampus)
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Impala Facts

Kingdom:
Five groups that classify all living things
Animalia
Phylum:
A group of animals within the animal kingdom
Chordata
Class:
A group of animals within a pylum
Mammalia
Order:
A group of animals within a class
Artiodactyla
Family:
A group of animals within an order
Bovidae
Genus:
A group of animals within a family
Aepyceros
Scientific Name:
The name of the animal in science
Aepyceros Melampus
Type:
The animal group that the species belongs to
Mammal
Diet:
What kind of foods the animal eats
Herbivore
Size:
How long (L) or tall (H) the animal is
68-92cm (27-36in)
Weight:
The measurement of how heavy the animal is
37-75kg (81.6-165lbs)
Top Speed:
The fastest recorded speed of the animal
48km/h (30mph)
Lifespan:
How long the animal lives for
12-15 years
Lifestyle:
Whether the animal is solitary or sociable
Herd
Conservation Status:
The likelihood of the animal becoming extinct
Least Concern
Colour:
The colour of the animal's coat or markings
Tan, Brown, White
Skin Type:
The protective layer of the animal
Fur
Favourite Food:
The preferred food of this animal
Grass
Habitat:
The specific area where the animal lives
Wooded savanna and dense bushland
Average Litter Size:
The average number of babies born at once
1
Main Prey:
The food that the animal gains energy from
Grass, Seeds, Flowers
Predators:
Other animals that hunt and eat the animal
Hyena, Lion, Crocodile
Special Features:
Characteristics unique to this animal
Small and slim body and curved horns

Impala Location

Map of Impala Locations
Map of Africa

Impala

The impala is one of the many species of antelope that is found inhabiting the African wilderness. The impala is a medium-sized antelope that is primarily found in the savannas and thicker bush-land in the more southern parts of the African continent.

The male impala are well-known for their curved horns that are able to reach lengths of around 90 cm which is bigger than the average impala individua! The male impala are known as rams, mainly due to the fact that the male impala use their horns when defending themselves both from other dominant male impala and from oncoming predators. The female impala does not have horns at all and are known as ewes.

The impala is thought to be one of the most adaptable animals living in the African savanna, as the impala is able to change its eating habits with the seasons and depending on what is available in the near surroundings. Impala like to graze on fresh grass but will also nibble on shoots and foliage when there is no grass growing nearby.

The impala has many natural predators in the tough African landscape that include leopards, lions, cheetahs, crocodiles and hyenas. The impala though has a remarkable response when it feels threatened as the impala is able to jump over nine meters in distance and over two meters high. The impala is thought to do this in order to confuse its predators.

The average impala individual lives for around 12 years in the wild, although this varies a great deal as the impala is such substantial prey to many of the carnivorous African predators. Some impala individuals that have been bred in captivity have been known to get to more than 20 years old.

View all 13 animals that start with I.

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First Published: 10th March 2009, Last Updated: 8th November 2019

Sources:
1. David Burnie, Dorling Kindersley (2008) Illustrated Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Mar 2009]
2. David Burnie, Kingfisher (2011) The Kingfisher Animal Encyclopedia [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2011]
3. David W. Macdonald, Oxford University Press (2010) The Encyclopedia Of Mammals [Accessed at: 01 Jan 2010]
4. Dorling Kindersley (2006) Dorling Kindersley Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Mar 2009]
5. Richard Mackay, University of California Press (2009) The Atlas Of Endangered Species [Accessed at: 10 Mar 2009]
6. Tom Jackson, Lorenz Books (2007) The World Encyclopedia Of Animals [Accessed at: 10 Mar 2009]