What kind of animal is an Impala in Africa?
One animal that is likely to be present on most safari game drives is the impala, a medium-sized antelope that lives across Eastern and Southern Africa. This unassuming-looking African antelope is often an entertaining spot on safari due to its nonchalant looks and elegant yet epic high jumps. Read on for a full guide to the impala.
How many Impalas are there in a herd?
The impala is rarely seen on its own. Females and young animals form herds of up to 100 individuals, while males live in a bachelor group of about 60 animals. They occupy a large range and make seasonal migrations from high to lower ground according to the availability of suitable food. Predators include lions,…
How did the Impala Antelope get its name?
Like other antelope, the impala is constantly alert to danger and has extremely acute senses of hearing, sight and smell. They can release a scent from their glands on their heels, which can help them stay together. This is done by performing a high kick of their hind legs. The name ‘Impala’ come from the Zulu language meaning ‘gazelle’.
What kind of predators do Impalas live with?
They occupy a large range and make seasonal migrations from high to lower ground according to the availability of suitable food. Predators include lions, leopards and cheetahs.
The first attested English name, in 1802, was palla or pallah, from the Tswana phala ‘red antelope’; the name impala, also spelled impalla or mpala, is first attested in 1875. Its Afrikaans name, rooibok ‘red buck’, is also sometimes used in English.
Is the black faced impala a species of Least Concern?
The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) classifies the impala as a species of least concern overall. The black-faced impala, however, is classified as a vulnerable species; as of 2008, fewer than 1,000 were estimated in the wild.