 The impala ( pronounced / <unk> , <unk> / ) ( Aepyceros melampus ) is a medium @-@ sized antelope in eastern and southern Africa . The sole member of the genus Aepyceros , it was first described by German zoologist Martin Hinrich Carl Lichtenstein in 1812 . Two subspecies are recognised – the common impala , and the larger and darker black @-@ faced impala . The impala reaches 70 – 92 centimetres ( 28 – 36 inches ) at the shoulder and weighs 40 – 76 kilograms ( 88 – 168 pounds ) . It features a glossy , reddish brown coat . The male 's slender , lyre @-@ shaped horns are 45 – 92 centimetres ( 18 – 36 in ) long . 
