Mammals
Impala
Aepyceros melampus
The impala is a slender, elegant antelope famous for its spectacular leaps: it can jump up to 3 metres high and 10 long to escape predators. Only males carry the elegant lyre-shaped horns.
In short
The impala (Aepyceros melampus) is a species with IUCN conservation status LC (Least concern). It lives at the edge between savanna and woodland, in large groups. Animals in Black offers a fine-art portrait of it on a black background, available as a print on Hahnemühle paper: request the print.
Habitat & conservation
Where does the impala live?
It lives at the edge between savanna and woodland, in large groups. During the rut males defend territories with chases and clashes; the rest of the year they gather in calmer herds.
Is the impala endangered?
The IUCN Red List rates it Least Concern (LC) with a stable population: it is one of the commonest antelopes and a key prey for Africa's large predators.
Facts about the impala
- It jumps up to 3 metres high and 10 long.
- It is key prey for lions, leopards and cheetahs.
- It has glands on the hind legs to leave scent trails for the herd.
Data source: IUCN Red List — Aepyceros melampus (Least Concern)
RED List
Conservation status codes
- EX Extinct No individuals survive.
- EW Extinct in the wild Survives only in captivity.
- CR Critically endangered Extremely high risk of extinction.
- EN Endangered Very high risk of extinction.
- VU Vulnerable High risk of extinction.
- NT Near threatened Likely to become threatened soon.
- LC Least concern Low risk of extinction.
- DD Data deficient Not enough data to assess.
- NE Not evaluated Not yet assessed by the IUCN.