by Kevin R Newell

Created on: April 29, 2009

Impala

Classification Kingdom - Animalia

Phylum - Chordata

Class - Mammalia

Order - Artiodactyla

Family - Bovidae

Description

Impala's are very similar to deer and antelope. They stand tall with their straight backs and curved black horn's. It is only the males who have horns which is the easiest way to tell the difference between the sexes. Most Impala are a dark, reddish brown in colour with a lighter brown/white under belly. The female Impala are known as ewes. They all have a black stripe down the front of their face with a black line above their eyes. They can reach unto 95cm in length and weigh any thing up to 70 kg.

Impala are well known for when they run and jump nearly 30 foot. This jumping ability helps them survive as they are the target for many of the savannahs big predators such as Lions, Leopards, Cheetah and Wild Dogs. The Impala travel in such large groups making them the most common mammal on the savannahs.

There are two species of Impala all which live amongst the same regions and these are the Common Impala and the Black Faced Impala which resides in Angola and Namibia. The Black Face Impala are listed as being a threatened species and is listed under the vulnerable section.

Habitat

The Impala mainly lives in the vast savannahs in South Africa. Where they roam searching for food in vast herds. The environment in South Africa on the savannahs is dry, dusty with little vegetation but the Impala are well adapted to this environment and even thrive. They have to deal with the intense heat during the day and below minus temperatures at night. With living is such a harsh, dry and hot environment the Impala always need to be within good reach of water and if you ever come across a herd you will most likely find water nearby.

Breeding

Mating amongst Impala begins with the rutting season where males square up to each other to determine who is the strongest and who will get the most females. The females who are mated will carry their young fawns for up to 7 months before giving birth. The fawns usually weaned around 6 months. The Young will often stay with the herd as it grows.

Food Habits

Impala's mainly feed on the grassy that grows on the savannahs. They will also eat new shoots and buds from bushes and trees if they can reach them.

Population Status

There are thousands of Impala on the South African savannahs and they are at no threat of extinction. The Black Face Impala are listed as being a threatened species and is listed under the vulnerable section.

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