Impala
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 | This article does not have any sources. (September 2018) |
| Impala | |
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| A male impala in the Serengeti | |
| Scientific classification | |
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| Subfamily: | Aepycerotinae Gray, 1872
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| Genus: | Aepyceros Sundevall, 1847
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| Species: | A. melampus
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| Binomial name | |
| Aepyceros melampus (Lichtenstein, 1812)
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An impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a medium-sized African antelope. The name "impala" comes from the Zulu language.
Description[change | change source]
The impala is reddish-brown with white hair inside the ears, over each eye and on the chin, upper throat, underparts and buttocks. A narrow black line runs along the middle of the lower back to the tail, and a vertical black stripe appears on the back of each thigh. Impalas have unique brushlike tufts of black hair that cover a scent gland located just above the heel on each hind leg.
The impala can jump more than 10 meters distance and 3 meters high, and can reach running speeds of about 80 to 90 km/h, to escape from predators.
Habitat[change | change source]
Impalas are found at grassland and woodland edges, usually very close by water.
