Common Name:

Impala

Hunting:

Yes

Location:

Mhlosinga and Surrounding Areas

Description:

A small grazing antelope with a light reddish-brown coat, paler flanks and white belly. There are dark and white rings around the eyes, and black vertical stripe either side of the tail, which also has a black stripe. The ears have black tips. The limbs are delicate, and there are black scent glands on the hind ankles. The male has lyre-shaped ridged horns.

Images:

Info:

Their social organisation allows impalas to adapt to prevailing environmental conditions. When food is plentiful, the males become territorial. In home ranges averaging 3 square miles, six to eight dominant males set up territories. They stand with erect posture, rub scent from face glands and make dung heaps to mark their territory. The females form herds of 10 to 50 or more and wander in and out of male territories. If they start to leave the territory, the male tries to herd them back to the centre, or he feigns danger just beyond his boundary by taking a stance normally used as a warning sign. He tries to mate with females in oestrus and defends his territory from challenging males. Bachelor males are allowed to remain in male territories if they ignore the females. The territorial male's challenger will have worked his way up through the hierarchy of the bachelor group until he becomes the dominant male. He then leaves the group and challenges a territorial male through horn duels.

Range:

sub-Saharan Africa

Habitat:

Savanna and light woodland. Impalas are found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close by water.

Diet:

Grazers and browsers, Impalas eat tender young grass shoots in the wet season and herbs and shrubs at other times. During the dry season they drink daily.

Size:

Male: 28 to 36 inches tall
Female: Slightly smaller than male

Gestation:

Between 6 and 7 months, a single fawn is born

Sexual Maturity:

Male: 1.5 years
Female: 1 years

Life Span:

15 years

Status:

Not Listed

Spoor:

Source:

Submitted by:

Mhlosinga