Animal Profiles
Mammals

Impala

Aepyceros melampus

Living

Living individuals or members of this group exist today. This does not mean they are safe from extinction.

The impala is a reddish-brown African antelope that both grazes and browses. Its feeding habits change as rainfall affects the available vegetation.

Aepyceros melampus (impala)

Charles J. Sharp · CC BY-SA

At a glance

Location
Impalas occur in eastern and southern Africa, using grasslands and open woodland. Nearby water is useful, especially when lush vegetation is scarce.
Habitat
Savanna, Grassland
Diet
Herbivore
Food
Grass is important after rain; leaves and other browse become more important in dry periods.

Classification

Common name
Impala
Browse group
Mammals
Scientific name or taxon
Aepyceros melampus
Taxon rank
species
Order
Artiodactyla
Family
Bovidae
Genus
Aepyceros
Source classification
Mammalia

Taxonomy checked against GBIF. For breeds and hybrids, this describes the listed parent taxon.

Measurements

Size and speed

Weight
45 to 60 kg adult range reported by ADW

Typical adult ranges. Source: Animal Diversity Web.

Three things to know

  • Only males carry the curved horns.
  • Black markings contrast with the pale tail underside.
  • Its diet changes with season.

Habitat and range

Impalas occur in eastern and southern Africa, using grasslands and open woodland. Nearby water is useful, especially when lush vegetation is scarce.

Appearance and adaptations

A slender body and red-brown coat characterize the impala. Males have ridged, curved horns, while both sexes have pale undersides.

Diet and behaviour

Grass is important after rain; leaves and other browse become more important in dry periods. It is active by day and spends resting periods chewing cud. Herd structure and territorial behaviour vary with season and conditions.

Sources

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