The impala /Ãâ°ÃªmÃâ¹Ãâ pÃâ°Ã¢â¬ËÃâ¹ÃÂlÃâ°Ã¢â¢, -Ãâ¹Ãâ pÃÆælÃâ°Ã¢â¢/; Aepyceros melampus is a medium-sized antelope found in eastern and southern Africa. The sole member of the genus Aepyceros, it was first described to European audiences by German zoologist Hinrich Lichtenstein in 1812. Two subspecies are recognisedâââ‰â¬Âthe common impala, and the larger and darker black-faced impala. The impala reaches 70âââ‰â¬Å92 centimetres 28âââ‰â¬Å36 inches at the shoulder and weighs 40âââ‰â¬Å76 kg 88âââ‰â¬Å168 lb. It features a glossy, reddish brown coat. The male`s slender, lyre-shaped horns are 45âââ‰â¬Å92 centimetres 18âââ‰â¬Å36 inches long. Active mainly during the day, the impala may be gregarious or territorial depending upon the climate and geography. Three distinct social groups can be observed: the territorial males, bachelor herds and female herds. The impala is known for two characteristic leaps that constitute an anti-predator strategy. Browsers as well as grazers, impala feed on monocots, dicots, forbs, fruits and acacia pods whenever available. An annual, three-week-long rut takes place toward the end of the wet season, typically in May. Rutting males fight over dominance, and the victorious male courts female in oestrus. Gestation lasts six to seven months, following which a single calf is born and immediately concealed in cover. Calves are suckled for four to six months; young malesâââ‰â¬Âforced out of the all-female groupsâââ‰â¬Âjoin bachelor herds, while females may stay back.
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