Impala
Afrikaans name: Rooibok

Impala ram
Photo © Steven Herbert
Aepyceros melampus
Interesting facts about Impala
The Impala is a common, even abundant in some areas, medium sized antelope. It prefers woodland and savanna habitats but can be seen in a variety of places. In some game parks they have moved into the camp sites and live quite happily with all the human activity taking place around them.
Despite the Impalas attractive colouration it is often ignored because of it being so common and its habit of standing on or near the road.
Impalas can weigh up to 60 kg. They stand up to 90 cm in height at the shoulder. Females are smaller than males and lack horns.
Larger herds of Impala can number between 100 and 200 individuals although most herds tend to be in the range of 20 to 50 animals. Herds are controlled by a territorial male who will chase other rams away. Young males are chased out the herd at fairly young age.
Females give birth to one calf. They head off into thick bush on their own to give birth. They rejoin the herd a few days later.
The Impala is both a grazer and browser depending on the availability of food. They eat grass, leaves, shoots and seeds.
A number of predators prey on them including Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Spotted Hyena and Wild Dog. At times Impala will leap into the air, particularly when skittish.

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert
Above - Three young male ImpalasBelow - A female Impala

Photo © Steven Herbert

Photo © Steven Herbert
Above and below - Impala rams, in bachelor herds, often indulge in play fighting which becomes more serious when males defend their harems during rutting season.
Photo © Steven Herbert
References and further reading
African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Year Published: 1999 - Page: 58An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 201
Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 17
Chris and Tilde Stuart's Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1988 - Page: 210
Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Year Published: 2004 - Page: 166
Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 1997 - Page: 162
Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Year Published: 2001 - Page: 210
Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 126
Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 119
Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 181
Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillier - Year Published: 1987 - Page: 121
Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Year Published: 1980 - Page: 114
Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Year Published: 1990 - Page: 9
Reader's Digest Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of Southern Africa - 2nd edi - Author: Editor - Alan Duggan - Year Published: 1991 - Page: 415
Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1986 - Page: 185
Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Year Published: 1996 - Page: 170
Wild Issue 38 - Author: - Year Published: 2017 - Page: 32
Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Year Published: 2011 - Page: 234