Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Name
Impala (Aepyceros melampus)
Appearance
The impala is the most common antelope found in the bushveld of South Africa. They have a rufous-fawn colour hide with a white underbelly and are graceful in stature. They measure around 900 mm at the shoulders, with rams weighing about 60 kg and females 40 kg.
The impala has a black stripe that runs from the top of the rump all the way down to the back of the thighs. Only males have lyre-shaped horns that are 700 mm in length. The lower hind legs possess glands that lie beneath tufts of black hair.
Impala Diet
Considered a mixed feeder, the impala grazes on various shrubbery and grass found on flat terrains in South Africa. They will also feed on Acacia pods and certain fruits if it is available.
Impala Breeding
Impala calves are born during the summer months in South Africa, after a gestation period of 6 months. The ewes become sexually mature at the age of two years, while males can start mating at as young as 1 year. However, young males are prevented from producing by much older territorial rams in the herd.
Impala Behaviour
Known for their glorious leaps over the bushveld plains of South Africa, the impala are sociable animals that live in large herds. Two types of herds exist within the impala populations, which are the breeding and bachelor herds. Rutting between males occurs during the winter. Young males live in bachelor herds, while established males with territories become solitary. The female impala all live in breeding herds.
Impala Habitat
The impala inhabits the woodland and savannah regions found in the north and eastern provinces of South Africa and beyond.
Predators
The impala falls prey to almost all big predators found in the wild of South Africa. As a result, the impala are always on the alert. Should one of them spot danger, it will give a warning snort causing the whole herd to scatter in different directions. To witness the impala jump to incredible heights of 3 to 12 metres high is a truly a spectacle to behold.
Spoor Description
Impala hooves are 4-6 cm long and have a sharp, neat and pointed shape.
The impala are also referred to as the McDonald’s of the bushveld in South Africa due to their large populations and being the most common prey to predators. The unique black markings on their rump also somewhat resemble the company logo.
Amazing Facts About the Impala
- The impala is one of the most common and most graceful of all Africa’s antelopes. A slender, agile creature, it can clear formidable obstacles and run at speeds faster than 60km/h. They are fleet runners who can leap up to 10m in length and 3m in height. They use their tremendous speed and agility to avoid predation, and seemingly for pure enjoyment.
- Males are known as rams, while females are referred to as ewes and have no horns. Male impalas have Lyre-shaped and ringed horns, up to 75cm long. The male’s horns can take many years to reach full length, which is why young animals are unlikely to establish a dominant position and breeding territory.
- Male impalas produce a scent from a gland on their foreheads to advertise their status to rivals. When he loses his rank, a male produces less scent. Males will fight for status and territory throughout the mating season, using their antlers as weapons.
- Most young impala are born around mid-day as this is the safest time to give birth since most of their enemies are resting. Half of newborn are killed by predators within the first few weeks of life.
- Mothers can delay giving birth for a month if the weather conditions are harsh, such as during the wet season. The sex ratio among impala is weighed in favour of the female, with twice as many females born each year.
- Impalas decrease their chances of attack when living in herds. They leap and scatter in all directions when being attacked to confuse the predator.
- As they also must drink every day and knowing that predators, such as the lion, frequently lie in wait around waterholes at dusk, they often drink during the hottest part of the day. At this time, the predators are at their most sluggish.
- The impala is rarely seen on its own. Females and young animals form herds of up to 100 individuals, while males live in a bachelor group of about 60 animals. They occupy a large range and make seasonal migrations from high to lower ground according to the availability of suitable food.
- Predators include lions, leopards and cheetahs. Like other antelope, the impala is constantly alert to danger and has extremely acute senses of hearing, sight and smell. They can release a scent from their glands on their heels, which can help them stay together. This is done by performing a high kick of their hind legs.
- The name ‘Impala’ come from the Zulu language meaning ‘gazelle’.