Brian Larson, age 8, of Sparks, Nev., for his question:

HOW FAST CAN AN IMPALA RUN?

An impala, the African antelope that is famous for its swift,    00 graceful jumping and running style, can run as fast as 50 miles per hour. Some of the animals regularly make single jumps that are more than 30 feet long.

Standing from 33 to 37 inches high at the shoulder, the impala usually weighs between 100 and 180 pounds.

An impala's glossy coat is mostly reddish brown on the top and sides and white on the tail and underparts. The males have lyre shaped horns up to three feet long.

The strongest males lead harem herds, which consist of females and young impalas. The other males stay together in bachelor herds or live alone.

Impalas live in lightly wooded areas from Kenya and Uganda to South Africa. They eat fruit, grass and leaves.

An impala's enemies include leopards, lions and wild African hunting dogs.

One of the favorite animals in North American zoos and animal parks is the handsome and graceful impala.