Impala in Akagera National Park, Kayonza, Rwanda
Max Christian
Speed: 47 – 56 mph (Running, In a zig-zag)
Mass: 88 – 170 lbs (Male, Adult), 66 – 110 lbs (Female, Adult)
Animal sounds: an explosive 'chuff' alarm bark – wildambience.com
Gestation period: 183 – 213 days
Scientific name: Aepyceros melampus
Trophic level: Herbivorous
The impala or rooibok is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The only extant member of the genus Aepyceros, and tribe Aepycerotini, it was first described to Europeans by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812.
The impala inhabits woodlands due to its preference for shade; it can also be found on the interface (ecotone) between woodlands and savannahs. Places near water sources are preferred. In southern Africa, populations tend to be associated with Colophospermum mopane and Acacia woodlands.
Impalas are herbivores (folivores). As grazers, these antelopes consume grass, while as browsers, they feed upon wide variety of vegetation, including fruits, seedpods, shoots as well as leaves of trees and bushes.
Most impalas are currently not endangered, about two million impala live in the wild or on private land today. About one quarter of these live in protected areas in Botswana, Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.Oct 21, 2023
