Impala (Aepyceros melampus)

Geographic Range: Ethiopian: The impala is found from northeast South Africa to Angola, south Zaire, Rwanda, Uganda, and Kenya.

Physical Characteristics: Mass: 45 to 60kg. Impala are sexually dimorphic. In this species only the males have S shaped horns that are 45-91.7 cm long. These horns are heavily ridged, thin, and the tips lie far apart. Both sexes are similarly colored with red-brown hair that pales on the sides. The underside of the belly, chin, lips, inside ears, the line over the eye, and tail are white. There are black stripes down the tail, forehead, both thighs, and ear tips. These black stripes might aid in recognition between individuals. Aepyceros melampus also have scent glands on their rear feet beneath patches of black hair as well as sebaceous glands on the forehead.

Food Habits: Impala are ruminants. The upper incisors and canines are absent and the cheek teeth are folded and sharply ridged. Impala are intermediate feeders. While predominantly a grazer, the impala will adapt to any amount of grass and browse. Impala feed mostly on grass during times of lush growth following the rains and will switch to browse during the dry season.

Reproduction: Female impalas are reproductively mature and conceive at 1.5 years. Males have the ability to breed at age 1, but often do not establish territories until age 4. Most breeding occurs in March through May. Gestation is 194-200 days. Males test the female's urine to detect estrous. The male then roars, snorts, or low stretches to advertise himself. After chasing the female, the male may show behaviors such as nodding and tongue flicking before copulation. The female impalas isolate themselves before calving. Calving usually occurs in the midday. Usually there is only one calf. The mother and calf will rejoin the herd after 1-2 days. Impalas place the young in creches which are groups of young that play, groom, and move together. Young impala are weaned at 4.5 months.

Behavior: Impala are diurnal and spend the night ruminating and lying down. The peak activity times for social activity and herd movement are shortly after dawn and before dusk. Impala have different social structures depending on the season. The average size of the female herd is between 15-100 individuals depending on space available. Impala form distinct social groups during the wet season. Three main organizations are found. Territorial males with and without breeding females, bachelor herds of non-territorial adult and juvenile males, and breeding herds of females and juveniles which include young males less than 4 years old. During the dry season, males can be found together or mixed with female herds. Impala use various anti predatory techniques. The most common is to take flight and outrun or confuse the predator. Commonly impala will leap up or out in any direction to confuse the predator. Another unique characteristic of leaping is when impala land on their front legs and kick the back legs into the air.

Habitat: The impala is found in woodland that contains little undergrowth and low to medium height grassland. Also a close source of water is desired, however is not needed when there is abundance of grass

Biomes: Tropical scrub forest, tropical savanna and grasslands.

*Reprinted with permission from the Alternative Livestock Reference Guide, Exotic Wildlife Assiciation