Quick answer
Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) typically live around About 12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Key takeaway
Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) typically live around About 12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
Impala lifespan in the wild
Field and museum records place most impalas near About 12 years in the wild. That figure blends ages at death across regions, so treat it as a planning range. Body size (40–75 kg (88–165 lb)) and risk lifestyle both shape the average.
What shortens impala lives
Predation, infectious disease, injury, food shortages, and habitat fragmentation cut survival. Roadkill and human conflict matter wherever impalas share landscapes with people.
What helps impalas live longer
Connected habitat, low chronic stress, and reliable food support longevity. For captive or domestic relatives, species-correct diet and veterinary screening matter more than generic “pet” advice.
Impala life stages
Juveniles usually face higher mortality than prime adults. Older animals may move less, show dental wear, or lose body condition — useful signs when ageing impalas in the field.
Diet and range
Impalas are both grazers and browsers, switching between grass and leaves depending on the season, which helps them survive where pickier antelope cannot. They live across the savannas and woodlands of eastern and southern Africa, usually near water.
Predators and survival
Impalas are a key prey species for lions, leopards, cheetahs, wild dogs, and crocodiles. Their speed, leaping ability, and safety-in-numbers herding keep populations healthy, and they remain one of Africa's most abundant antelope.
Sources
Impala FAQs
How long do impalas live?
Impalas (Aepyceros melampus) typically live around About 12 years in the wild. Wild averages fall when predation, disease, or habitat loss rise; managed populations can live longer with stable food and veterinary care.
What is the scientific name of the impala?
Aepyceros melampus — used in research and conservation listings for impalas.
What do impalas eat?
Impalas eat grazer and browser, with seasonal and regional variation in Savanna and open woodland.
Where do impalas live?
They are associated with Savanna and open woodland. Local presence depends on food, cover, and human land use.
What is the conservation status of impalas?
Listed in our guides as Least Concern. Check the IUCN Red List and national assessments for the latest formal category.