The Impala is a graceful antelope from eastern and southern Africa. It has a shiny reddish‑brown coat and can leap very high and far to escape danger. Young children will enjoy learning about its long horns, fast running, and herd life.
Watch a Impala in Action!
See how fast and agile these antelopes can be in this fun video:
What is a Impala?
An Impala is a medium‑sized African antelope with long legs and graceful movements.
- Has a reddish‑brown coat with white on belly and ears
- Males (rams) have curved horns; females (ewes) do not
- Lives in groups called herds with moms, dads, and babies
Where do Impalas live?
Impalas live in warm places with grass and some trees.
- Found in eastern and southern Africa like Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa
- They live in savannas and light woodlands near water
What do Impalas eat?
Impalas are herbivores—they eat plants!
- They eat soft grass when it rains
- In dry times they nibble leaves, shoots, and seed pods
How big is a Impala?
An Impala is about the size of a medium dog—with long legs!
- Shoulder height: about 30–36 inches (76–92 cm)
- Weighs about 88–165 pounds (40–75 kg)
What sound do Impalas make?
Impalas make alarm calls to warn their friends of danger. Their calls sound like loud snorts and grunts.
Cool Impala Facts
Impalas are amazing creatures! Here are some cool things kids love:
- They can jump up to 3 meters (10 ft) high or 10 meters (33 ft) far
- They can run up to about 80 km/h (50 mph)
- Only male impalas have spiral horns up to 36 inches (90 cm) long
- They live in herds of a few dozen to hundreds
- Females have one baby after about 6–7 months of pregnancy
- They use alarm calls and jumping to escape lions and leopards
Printables and coloring fun
Grab something to color or play with:
Impalas in the eco-system
Impalas help nature stay healthy and safe:
- They eat plants, helping to spread seeds and shape grasslands
- They are food for big animals like lions, cheetahs, and hyenas
- There are millions of common impalas and they are not endangered
- The black‑faced subspecies is rarer and is considered vulnerable
Ask a grown-up to help you learn more
Here are some safe places with more Impala facts:
Fun questions about Impalas
Baby impalas drink their mother’s milk for the first few months.
They run fast and jump high to avoid predators.
Their name comes from the Zulu word for this antelope.
No—only males (rams) have horns.
About 30–36 inches (76–92 cm) at the shoulder.
In savannas and woodlands in eastern and southern Africa.
They make alarm snorts and grunts to warn friends.
Grass, leaves, shoots, and seed pods.
Yes—they can run up to 80 km/h (50 mph).
Ways to donate and support Impalas
You can help protect impalas and their homes by supporting wildlife groups in Africa.
Sources: Wikipedia, Live Science, Creative Commons, Britannica.com and Freesound.org
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