IMPALA Aepyceros melampus

Distribution:

Swaziland, Natal, Transvaal, Namibia, Mozambique Zimbabwe and Botswana.

Diet:

They browse and graze.

Habitat:

They are found in open woodland and grassland as well as in riverine vegetation.

Habits:

They can be found in breeding herds, bachelor herds and herds of territorial males.

Males are mainly in their prime around five to eight years old.

They can leap 12 foot high covering a distance of 36 feet in one leap.

They are the only species of antelope to have fetlock glands on the back legs and in both sexes.

The skull of a male Impala is modified to increase the sound of their roars.

Males are highly aggressive during the rutting season and fighting is vicious.

Breeding:

They have a gestation period of roughly 6 - 6,5 months with one young normally being born.

Predators:

Impala are taken by Crocodile, Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Caracal, Wild Dog, and the young occasionally by Baboon.