Impala Hydration Habits

Impalas usually wait until the hottest part of the day to hydrate.

 Picture from Nottens

Predators, such as lions, leopards and cheetahs, frequently wait around waterholes at dusk in order to  pounce on impalas.  By waiting until the hottest part of the day to drink, the predators are at their most sluggish, leaving the impalas able to drink more leisurely.

Isolated Impala Babies

During breeding season the female impala is able to delay giving birth for an additional month if the conditions are harsh.

Picture from One Kind

Typically after six or seven months the mother will isolate herself from the herd to give birth.  If weather and territory conditions are not ideal, the female will hold off on giving birth until things improve.  After giving birth the female will keep the fawn isolated for a few days before returning to the herd.

Impalas Escape Predators

Impalas are medium-sized antelope that live in eastern and southern Africa. They stay in herds, which offer protection from other animals. Because impalas are fleet runners, they can jump distances of 30 feet or more, also making it easy to escape predators quickly.