Impala: a two-minute wildlife lesson

Deer and Antelopes · day 5 of 7

Five facts

1. Impala can leap up to 3 m high and 10 m long. Jumping in different directions probably confuses predators.
2. Male impalas have lyre-shaped horns up to 92 cm long. The horns interlock during fights, helping males throw off rivals.
3. A newborn impala calf is hidden in cover for its first few weeks, then joins a nursery group.
4. Female impala herds hold 6 to 100 animals, while bachelor groups are usually small, with fewer than 30 members.
5. Impala keep a personal space of 2.5 to 3 m from one another.

The quiz

1. How far can an impala leap through the air horizontally?

• Two metres
• Thirty metres
• One hundred metres
• Ten metres (correct)

Impala can cover ten metres horizontally.

2. How long can male impala horns reach?

• Up to 92 cm (correct)
• Up to 9 cm
• Up to 29 cm
• Up to 192 cm

The horns can reach up to 92 cm.

3. What does a newborn impala calf do for its first few weeks?

• Runs with the herd
• Stays hidden in cover (correct)
• Follows its father
• Swims in rivers

The newborn stays concealed for the first few weeks.

4. How big are impala bachelor groups usually?

• Over 500 members
• Exactly two members
• Fewer than 30 members (correct)
• Over 1,000 members

Bachelor groups tend to be small, with fewer than 30 members.

5. What personal spacing do impala keep from one another?

• 2.5 to 3 m (correct)
• 25 to 30 m
• 0.25 to 0.3 m
• 12 to 13 m

They keep 2.5 to 3 m apart.

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