The impala Aepyceros melampus
The impala inhabits southeastern part of African continent. Due to its graceful structure, it was for a long time assigned to gazelles but recent studies have demonstrated that it is much more related to Alcelaphinae. Adult animal can stand 90 centimeters at the shoulders and weigh from 40 to 60 kilograms. Relatively small head features large eyes and ears tipped with black hair. Males have 60–90 cm-long arch-like horns that grow backwards, with their tips lying far apart. At the back of the hind legs, just above the hooves, is a characteristic tuft of black hair, which covers the fetlock gland. Impalas generally inhabit savannah scrublands and woodlands, gallery forests, and, less commonly, open areas. They are water-dependent and tend to stay close to water. Impalas are strict herbivorous feeding mostly on Acacia leaves and pods; during times of lush growth following the rains, they consume grass. Impala are most active shortly after dawn and before dusk. They spend the night resting in the shade and ruminating. The female impala separates herself from her herd before calving and comes back with her calf in a few days. The calves are not weaned until they are four months old and they are driven away by the dominant male when they reach the age of 8 months.
