An impala is a medium-sized African antelope known for being one of the best jumpers in the animal kingdom. When threatened by predators like lions or cheetahs, an impala can leap up to 10 feet high and 30 feet forward in a single bound, often making several spectacular jumps in a row to escape danger.

Impalas live in large herds on the grasslands and light woodlands of eastern and southern Africa. They have reddish-brown coats with white bellies, and the males grow elegant, curved horns that spiral backward. These graceful animals can run at speeds up to 55 miles per hour, combining their speed with those amazing leaps to confuse and evade predators.

When impalas sense danger, they sometimes perform a behavior called “pronking” or “stotting,” where they leap straight up into the air with all four legs stiff, almost like bouncing on a trampoline. Scientists think this might signal to predators that the impala is strong and healthy and not worth chasing.