There is a joke game guides like to tell about impala, they point out that the ‘m’ marking on the rump closely resembles a fast food chain logo.
YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN: Wild facts about wildebeest
The ubiquitous impala is perhaps the most commonly spotted animal in most of our game reserves and it does, indeed, seem like fast food for predators.
All the same, when you encounter a herd of these common but dainty antelope, it would be well worth your while to stop and watch them for a while.
Here are some facts about the impala:
* Only the males carry the slender, graceful horns.
* They have glossy, rufous, two-toned coats with white bellies.
* You would likely spot them in open bushveld, often close to water.
* They are principally browsers but also graze.
* Highly gregarious, they live in large herds of mostly females.
* The males, who build up breeding herds, often fight fiercely.
* They are excellent jumpers, able to leap 10m far and about 3m high.
HAVE YOUR SAY
Like the South Coast Herald’s Facebook page, follow us on Twitter and Instagram
For news straight to your phone, add us on BBM 58F3D7A7 or WhatsApp 082 421 6033
