WILDLIFE
SOUTH AFRICA |
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IMPALA |
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Latin
Name: Aepyceros melampus Afrikaans: Rooibok / Impala |
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Distribution in South
Africa: |
Impala mainly occur in the northern, northeastern and eastern parts of South Africa – Occur in large numbers in the Kruger National Park. They are also found on Game Farms and Private reserves throughout certain areas of South Africa, where in many areas they have been reintroduced for game farming. |
Habitat: |
Impala prefer savannah woodland and Acacia thornveld, preferably near water. |
Habits: |
They are gregarious and form herds ranging from 6 to 50 or more, depending on the time of year. During the winter mating time (March to May) one territorial ram gathers a herd of up to 30 and even more ewes (called harem) and defends and protects them from other rams. Fights often occur and at times some rams can be seriously injured and often killed. During these rutting and mating times, rams can be heard day and night uttering loud snorts and grunts. Sometimes their noises can frighten the first time visitor to the bush if they are not familiar with the sounds. Away from the breeding herds, other rams form bachelor groups consisting of juvenile, young and older rams. |
Day or night: |
Although mainly active during the day they can be active during periods of feeding at night. |
| Difference between male (ram) and female (ewe): |
Rams are bigger than ewes and have horns while ewes do not grow horns. |
Mass: |
Male: 47 to 68 kg (Average about 54 kg.). Female: 32 to 52 kg. (Average about 41 kg.). |
| Breeding: |
After mating in April to June / July (differs from area to area and sometimes from season to season), usually a single lamb is born (on occasion twins may be born) in October to February. Lambs are usually kept together in creches where a few impala ewes keep watch over the young. |
Gestation period: |
6 and a half months or 190 to 200 days. |
| Lifespan: |
12 years |
| Diet / Food and water: |
Impala are browsers (pods, seeds and leaves of certain tree species) and grazers (especially sweet grass species) and are water dependent, preferring Acacia bushveld. |
| Enemies: |
Lion, Leopard, Cheetah, Hyena, African Wild Dog, Caracal, Serval, Jackal, Python, Crocodile, Humans. |
Status: |
Still occur in large numbers throughout their natural areas. Also plentiful on Game Farms and in protected reserves and some National Parks. |
| Interesting facts: |
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