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What are some of the interesting facts about the impala found in the Kruger Park?

  • Impalas have a special gland above their hooves that leaves a scent on the ground as they walk, allowing them to communicate with other impalas.
  • Impalas are able to jump over obstacles that are up to 10 feet high, allowing them to evade predators more easily.
  • Impalas have a unique behavior called "stotting" or "pronking", where they leap high into the air while running. This is thought to be a way of signaling to predators that they are healthy and fit and therefore harder to catch.
  • Impalas have a complex social structure, with males establishing dominance hierarchies during the breeding season.
  • Female impalas are able to delay the implantation of a fertilized egg for up to a month, allowing them to give birth during the rainy season when food is more abundant.
  • The impala's diet can have an impact on the color of their coat. In areas where the soil is rich in iron, impalas may have a slightly reddish tint to their coat.
  • While impalas are known for their incredible speed and agility, they are not great swimmers and will often avoid crossing rivers or other bodies of water.
  • In some cultures in southern Africa, impalas are considered to be a symbol of fertility and abundance, and are often featured in traditional art and ceremonies.