 Active mainly during the day , the impala may be gregarious or territorial depending upon the climate and geography . Three distinct social groups can be observed – the territorial males , bachelor herds and female herds . The impala is known for two characteristic leaps that constitute an anti @-@ predator strategy . Browsers as well as grazers , impala feed on monocots , dicots , forbs , fruits and acacia pods ( whenever available ) . An annual , three @-@ week @-@ long rut takes place toward the end of the wet season , typically in May . Rutting males fight over dominance , and the victorious male starts an elaborate courtship with a female in oestrus . Gestation lasts six to seven months , following which a single calf is born and immediately concealed in cover . Calves are suckled for four to six months ; young males , forced out of the group , join bachelor herds , while females may stay back . 
