# Impala (*Aepyceros melampus*)

> The impala is a medium-sized antelope of eastern and southern Africa, famous for spectacular leaps that can clear 3 m (10 ft) in height and 10 m (33 ft) in length. Only males grow the long lyre-shaped horns. Impalas live in herds, graze and browse, and typically live about 12 years in the wild.

- **Category:** Mammal
- **Conservation status (IUCN):** Least Concern
- **Range:** Savannas and open woodlands of eastern and southern Africa, usually near water.
- **Canonical page:** https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/impala/
- **Last reviewed:** 2026-07-16

## Scientific classification

- **Kingdom:** Animalia
- **Phylum:** Chordata
- **Class:** Mammalia
- **Order:** Artiodactyla
- **Family:** Bovidae
- **Genus:** Aepyceros

## Facts at a glance

| Attribute | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Scientific name | Aepyceros melampus |
| Diet | Herbivore (grazer and browser) |
| Habitat | Savanna and open woodland |
| Lifespan | About 12 years in the wild |
| Weight | 40–75 kg (88–165 lb) |
| Top speed | Up to 90 km/h (56 mph) |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (IUCN) |

## Behavior and the famous leap

Impalas are best known for their explosive jumps, springing high and far to confuse predators and cross obstacles. This behavior, sometimes called pronking, scatters a herd in all directions and makes it hard for a lion or cheetah to single out one target. They are fast, agile, and constantly alert.

## Herds and social life

Outside the breeding season impalas gather in large mixed herds. During the rut, dominant males defend territories and harems of females, while younger males form bachelor groups. Their loud roars and snorts during this period are surprising for such a graceful animal.

## 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.

## Frequently asked questions

### How high can an impala jump?

Impalas can leap about 3 m (10 ft) high and up to 10 m (33 ft) in length in a single bound, using these jumps to evade predators and clear obstacles.

### Do female impalas have horns?

No. Only male impalas grow horns, which are long, curved, and lyre-shaped. Females are hornless.

### What do impalas eat?

Impalas are herbivores that both graze on grass and browse on leaves and shoots, adjusting their diet to the season.

### How fast can an impala run?

Impalas can sprint up to about 90 km/h (56 mph), making them one of the faster antelope and a difficult target for predators.

### Are impalas endangered?

No. Impalas are listed as Least Concern by the IUCN and remain one of the most common antelope across eastern and southern Africa.

## Sources

- [IUCN Red List — Aepyceros melampus.](https://www.iucnredlist.org/search?query=Aepyceros%20melampus&searchType=species)
- [Animal Diversity Web — Aepyceros melampus. University of Michigan Museum of Zoology.](https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Aepyceros_melampus/)
- [Wikipedia — Impala.](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impala)

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Source: Global Animal Guide (https://globalanimalguide.org/animals/impala/). Licensed CC BY-NC 4.0 — free for non-commercial reuse with attribution.