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When startled, Impala can leap 10 feet into the air and can cover 30ft in a single bound.
photo: Tom Gillespie
Characteristics: Impala are medium sized antelope with males weighing up to 176 lbs. and females up to 132 lbs. When startled, Impala can leap 10 feet into the air and can cover 30ft in a single bound. Frightened impala herds leap from their cover in several different directions to confuse predators. Dominant males are solitary and territorial while females and bachelors form herds.
Diet: Impalas prefer to feed on vegetation of light woodland areas, but they adaptable and change their eating habits in accordance with season, climate and weather conditions.
Reproduction: Female impalas begin to reproduce at 12 to 18 months. They conceal themselves several hours before giving birth to a single calf. Calves typically join “creches” or nursery groups a few days after birth. Juvenile impalas come back to mothers only to nurse. Once weaned, the maternal bond is quickly broken and juveniles have no contact with mother.
Environmental Connections: Impala are highly adaptable grazers and browsers. They change their diet according to season and food availability. They browse in light woodlands and graze on green grasses depending on what is available. Impala are dependent upon water but those that feed on green grasses can go without for long periods of time.
Impala are edge species that live in ecotone regions between the dense forest and grasslands. Dependent upon food availability, cover and freshwater, they are threatened by natural predators, habitat destruction, and human encroachment.
In addition to pressure from predatory species such as lions and hyenas, humans poach Impala. While they are plentiful in many areas, a subspecies - the black-faced impala - is facing population declines.
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N.C. Zoo is a member institution of AZA and an agency of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources, William G. Ross Jr. Secretary; Michael F. Easley, Governor. A part of the North Carolina Government portal.
The Zoo is closed Christmas day and during severe weather. Call our information line at: 1-800-488-0444.
