Impalas are medium-sized antelopes with tan and white fur. They have black fur on the tips of their ears, hind legs, and tails. Males have long antlers that can be anywhere from 18 to 36 inches long! These antlers are used for skull protection, as well as a mechanism during fights.

Most impalas weigh anywhere from 88 to 170 pounds and measure 28 to 36 inches at the shoulder. They are known to be very fast animals and can run up to 56 miles per hour, sometimes even escaping lions!

Impalas are mostly found in eastern and southern Africa, where many of the populations are associated with the availability of certain plants like butterfly trees. Impalas usually live in savannas and woodlands, however, woodlands are preferred during the rainy season. Most impalas avoid tall grasses because of the possibility of predators hiding in the grass. Although they tend to stay away from high-altitude areas, some have been recorded at 4,600 feet above sea level.

Impalas are herbivores and only eat plants and vegetation. In fact, 45% of their diet consists of monocots (grass-like plants), 45% dicots (flowering plants), and 10% fruits. However, once the dry season begins, their consumption of grass declines dramatically. They have more diverse and reliable food supplies due to their ability to both graze and browse.

Both males and females become sexually mature around a year old. The breeding season occurs at the end of the rainy season, usually in May. Females have their calf after 6 to 7 months, and will hide it for the first 1 to 2 weeks after birth. Afterward, the fawn joins the nursery group within the herd. Most females stay within the same herd, however, males are forced to leave the group to find another.

Impalas are commonly affected by different parasites most of which are ticks, which can cause tick paralysis and death. However, impalas have special teeth to groom themselves and one another that helps drastically in managing ticks.

Impalas are prey for many animals, such as cheetahs, leopards, lions, hyenas, and others. Impalas are not threatened or endangered, but they are affected by human activity and poaching