Species Overview
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Artiodactyla
Family: Bovidae
Genus: Aepyceros
Species: Aepyceros melampus
Life Span: 12–15 years (in the wild)
Weight: 40–75 kg (88–165 lbs)
Height: 0.8–1 meter (2.6–3.3 feet) at the shoulder
Length: 1.3–1.5 meters (4.3–5 feet) from head to tail
Animal Behavior and Habits
Activity: Diurnal – Impalas, including the black variant, are most active during the day. They typically graze during the early morning and late afternoon, resting during the hottest part of the day.
Feeding Habits: Herbivorous – Impalas are grazers, feeding on grasses, herbs, and leaves, and will browse on shrubs when grass is scarce. They prefer areas with abundant vegetation and fresh, tender shoots.
Social Structure: Social – Impalas are highly social, often found in herds that can range from 10 to 100 individuals, depending on the availability of food and water. Herds are typically led by dominant males, with females and juveniles forming the core of the group. Adult males often form bachelor groups outside of the breeding season.
Behavioral Traits: Known for their agility, Impalas are exceptional jumpers and can leap distances of over 10 meters (33 feet) to escape predators. They are also quick to alert the herd to threats with high-pitched alarm calls.
Habitat and Environment
Preferred Habitat: Grasslands, savannas, and woodland edges – Impalas prefer open spaces with access to water but will also be found in areas with some tree cover for shade and protection.
Water Sources: Frequent water users – Impalas need to drink water at least once a day, often being found in areas near rivers, streams, or watering holes.
Best Hunting Locations: Look for Impalas in open savanna or woodland areas, particularly where grasslands meet trees. They often graze in the early morning and late afternoon, but may seek refuge in denser cover during midday heat.
Tracks and Trails: Impala tracks are relatively small and oval-shaped, with two distinct hoofprints. Their tracks are commonly found along game trails, in open grasslands, or around waterholes.
Signs: Look for signs of grazing in open fields, with flattened grass patches where they have fed. Impalas also often leave distinct hoofprints in soft soil or mud near watering holes.
Hunting Time
Ideal Hunting Times: Early morning and late afternoon – These are the periods when Impalas are most active, grazing and moving between feeding and drinking locations.
Breeding Season: Impalas have a seasonal rut, typically during the rainy season when food is most abundant. Males compete for access to females, and mating occurs in groups with dominant males asserting their territories.
Trophy Quality: Trophy hunting focuses on mature male Impalas with impressive, well-formed horns. The horns are typically slender, curving backward and then spiraling upwards, with a characteristic “S” shape.
Use of Scent Lures: Scent lures are not commonly used for Impala hunting. Instead, hunters rely on spotting herds in open areas or tracking them along game trails, especially during the early morning or late afternoon when the Impalas are most active.
Special Notes:
Coloration and the “Black Impala” Variation: The Black Impala is a rare color variation of the common Impala. While typical Impalas have a reddish-brown coat, the Black Impala has a darker, more striking coat color, ranging from a rich dark brown to black, particularly on the male’s back and sides. This variation is the result of a genetic mutation and is highly prized by hunters for its unique appearance.
Rarity: The Black Impala is not a separate species but rather a genetic color morph within the regular Impala population. The condition is recessive and occurs more frequently in controlled breeding programs, often for trophy hunting purposes.
Social Behavior: Black Impalas, like typical Impalas, are social and live in herds. However, the dark coloration of males may make them more visible or distinctive when they compete for dominance within herds during the breeding season.
