impala

Impala, scientifically known as Aepyceros melampus, is a medium-sized antelope native to eastern and southern Africa. It belongs to the family Bovidae and the genus Aepyceros. Impalas are recognized for their slender bodies, long legs, and a coat that ranges from reddish-brown to grayish with lighter underparts. Males possess lyre-shaped horns that curve outward and downward.

Impala habitats include savannas, light woodland, and mixed grassland near water sources. They are highly adaptable and form large, mixed-sex herds or matriarchal groups of related females and their offspring, while territorial males often control breeding harems during the rut. Activity peaks in the early morning and late afternoon, with many individuals resting in the shade during the heat of the day.

Diet is chiefly grasses, supplemented by browse such as leaves and shoots when grass is scarce. Impalas are selective feeders and can adjust their foraging to seasonal changes. Reproduction typically occurs after a gestation of about six to seven months, usually resulting in a single calf. Calves become capable of standing within minutes and can run within days, aiding in predator avoidance.

Predators include lions, leopards, spotted hyenas, wild dogs, and large raptors. Impalas are renowned for their speed and agility, capable of high-speed sprints and long, powerful leaps to escape danger.

Conservation status according to the IUCN is Least Concern, reflecting their broad range and relatively stable populations, though local declines may occur due to habitat loss and poaching. The term impala is also used for a long-running automobile model produced by Chevrolet.