 Common ixodid ticks collected from impala include Amblyomma <unk> , Boophilus decoloratus , Hyalomma marginatum , Ixodes <unk> , Rhipicephalus appendiculatus and R. evertsi . In Zimbabwe , heavy infestation by ticks such as R. appendiculatus has proved to be a major cause behind the high mortality of ungulates , as they can lead to tick paralysis . Impala have special adaptations for grooming , such as their characteristic dental arrangement , to manage ticks before they engorge ; however , the extensive grooming needed to keep the tick load under control involves the risk of dehydration during summer , lower vigilance against predators and gradual wearing out of the teeth . A study showed that impala adjust the time devoted to grooming and the number of grooming bouts according to the seasonal prevalence of ticks . 
