Impala
One of the fastest animals in the world
This extremely gracious antelope measures about one metre at its girth, with only males carrying a pair of long S-shaped horns.
Built for running and jumping, the Impala is able to make jumps that are more than 10 m long and 3 m high. It can reach peaks of speed of 110 km/h in order to escape its predators, running in zigzags in order to disorientate them. It is also able to run for very long distances (50 km…) but obviously at a slower speed.
Its morphology is well adapted: very muscular on the thighs, with a very flexible spinal column, fine light bones and large lungs. All that makes the Impala one of the fastest animals in the world.
Living on the short-grass savannahs of Africa, the Impalas graze vegetation of every kind and live in large herds.
Their predators are the large carnivores which manage to catch them only by subterfuge and a careful stalk. Because – once running – only the Cheetah can catch up with them.
A less threatened species
- Name : Impala
- Latin name : Azpyceros melampus
- Origin : Central, Eastern and Southern Africa
- IUCN status : Least concerned
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