Impala

East African Impala (Aepyceros melampus) East Africa. One of the most numerous hooved species in Africa.

SCI also recognizes 2 sub-species of impala: The Black-faced Impala & the Southern Impala.

ID
A medium sized antelope that have distinct coloration.  Reddish brown coat on upper body that transitions to light tan on lateral side (bottom half) of body.  Belly is white as well as the throat, lips, line over eyes, inside ears, and underside of the tail.  Black, vertical markings on tail, back of hindlimbs and sometimes, forehead. Impala also have distinctive black tufts of hair on the backs of their lower hindlegs that act as scent glands. Females are similar in appearance to males, but smaller in stature and lacking horns. Males have slender, ringed, lyre-shaped horns that grow inward and upward in an S-shape and average 20 inches in length.  Average live weights are 130 lbs for males and 100 lbs for female impala.

Behavior
Impala are very agile and have extreme leaping ability — up to 10 feet high and 36 feet long.  Seem to leap for no apparent reason at times and almost appear close to flipping back legs first.  Groups scatter explosively with impressive leaps when alarmed.   Will jump through narrow gaps in fences and brush.  Do not sustain running speed over long periods.  Unlike many other plains grazers, flees into dense vegetation, where it tends to hide instead of running away.  They have acute hearing and are very alert and wary.  Its sense of smell is very good, but its eyesight seems less developed.

Females are strictly territorial animals with herds consisting of 20 to 50 or more animals.  Males live in bachelor herds with the dominant individuals breaking away to set up territories in proximity to female herds.  During the mating season these males form breeding herds, spending all of their time herding the females and defending his herd from other males.  Normally not an aggressive species, during the rut males fight fiercely and serious injury and deaths do occur.  Losers are pursued and gored in the flanks as the flea.  Impala’s are naturally noisy animals, grunting frequently during the day.  A loud, high-pitched snort is used as an alarm call.  During the rut, territorial males are overly vocal, uttering an array of noises ranging from grunts to a distinct roar.  This roar is often mistaken for the roar of a lion in their natural habitat.  Territorial males use the roar to advertise their status and to prevent females from leaving the breeding herd.  With their neck stretched forward and head tipped upwards, the roar sounds like a mixture of a belch and a cough.  After the breeding season, peace returns to the herd.  Females break away from the herd to give birth in isolation.  All of the births are within a short period of time which is thought to provide “safety in numbers”.  Following birth, the young are left hidden for a day or two and have little contact with their mothers except when nursing.  Partake in social grooming behavior that is a means of removing ticks from areas that the animal cannot groom for itself.  Facing each other, one impala licks the other numerous times, then stops and waits for their counterpart to return the favor.

Food Habits
Graze or browse depending on season and habitat.  Also feed on green leaves, pods, and forbs when green grass is unavailable.  Will supplement diet with flowers, fruits, and roots.

Breeding
During the mating season males form breeding herds.  Their daily activity revolves around herding females and defending his herd from other males.  During the rut males fight vigorously, possibly resulting in serious injury and even death.  Males do not participate in rutting activity until atleast 4.5 years of age.  Rut last from 3 weeks to 3 months and occurs twice a year and possibly year round in certain environments.  Bred females generally birth 1 young after a gestation period of 6.5 months.  They are able to breed again 1 to 14 days after giving birth.  Males become sexually mature at 9 months to 1 year of age and females 10 months to a year (often bred for first time at 1.5 years).

Life Span
Generally 12 to 15 years.

Keeping Impala
Need fencing of 10 ft or more. excellent jumpers that leap when disturbed. Considered a noisy species (during the rut). Not known to hybridize with any other species. 

Impala Hunting
Expect to pay $3000 & up for an impala hunts, depending on trophy size and outfitter.  The avg. cost of an impala hunt in Texas is ~ $4200.