 The glossy coat of the impala shows two @-@ tone colouration – the reddish brown back and the tan flanks ; these are in sharp contrast to the white underbelly . Facial features include white rings around the eyes and a light chin and snout . The ears , 1 @.@ 7 centimetres ( 0 @.@ 67 in ) long , are tipped with black . Black streaks run from the buttocks to the upper hindlegs . The bushy white tail , 30 centimetres ( 12 in ) long , features a solid black stripe along the midline . The impala 's colouration bears a strong resemblance to the gerenuk , which has shorter horns and lacks the black thigh stripes of the impala . The impala has scent glands covered by a black tuft of hair on the hindlegs . Sebaceous glands concentrated on the forehead and dispersed on the torso of dominant males are most active during the mating season , while those of females are only partially developed and do not undergo seasonal changes . There are four nipples . 
