Jackals are members of the canid family with a reputation for cunning, opportunism and haunting twilight calls. Found across parts of Africa, Europe and Asia, they can occupy a range of ecological niches, hunting, scavenging and foraging on whatever is available.
Long overshadowed by their showier cousins, such as wolves and wild dogs, these highly adaptable survivors are no less deserving of attention.
How many species of jackal are there?
There are three living species: the golden jackal (Canis aureus), the black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas, formerly known as C. mesomelas) and the side-striped jackal (Lupulella adustus, formerly known as C. adustus).
There is one taxonomic wrinkle. The African golden wolf (C. anthus) was historically considered a jackal, and older books may refer to it as the African golden jackal. Genetic work has since shown that it is more closely related to wolves and coyotes than to the golden jackal.
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Where do jackals live?
Golden jackals have the widest range, occurring from south-eastern Europe through the Middle East and across Central and South Asia to parts of South East Asia. They are able to live on grassland, scrub, wetlands, farmland and the edges of human settlements. In recent decades, they have also started to expand into parts of western and northern Europe.
Black-backed jackals are African specialists. They occur in two main populations: one in East Africa and the Horn of Africa, and another in southern Africa. They favour open country, including savanna, dry shrubland, semi-desert and farmland.
Side-striped jackals are also African, but are generally associated with moister habitats. They occur across much of sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in woodland, thicket, savanna, marshy areas and farmland, and are seen near rural dwellings and in urban areas, too.
How can you tell them apart?
The golden jackal is usually sandy, yellowish or grey-brown. It looks a bit like a small wolf or large fox, which can make identification tricky in parts of their geographic range where these canids are present.
The black-backed jackal is the most striking of the three. It has a reddish coat, pale underside and a dark, silver-flecked ‘saddle’ running from the shoulders to the tail. It is also smaller than a golden jackal.
The side-striped jackal is more subdued, with grey-brown fur, a pale stripe along each flank and a white-tipped tail.
What do jackals eat?
Almost anything they can find. Jackals are omnivores and opportunists, feeding on small antelope, rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, insects, fruit, carrion and human refuse. Around farms and settlements, they may take poultry or young livestock, which brings them into conflict with people.
Do jackals hunt in packs?
Not in the way wolves do. Jackals sometimes form small family groups but are more often seen alone or in breeding pairs. When tackling larger prey, pairs or family groups work very effectively together. Much of their success comes from their flexibility, though. They will scavenge, raid nests, dig, forage and follow the fortunes of larger predators.
How do jackals breed?
Jackals are monogamous, with pairs often staying together for life. After a gestation of about two months, females give birth in a den, which may be dug by the jackals themselves or adapted from an abandoned burrow. Litters vary, but usually contain between two and seven pups. The young are born blind and helpless, and remain in or near the den for their first weeks of life. In some species, older offspring may stay with their parents and help feed or guard the next litter, improving the pups’ chances of survival.
Why do jackals call?
Jackals call to keep in touch with a mate or family group, advertise their presence to neighbours and defend their territory without risking a fight. Their yelps, howls and wails can sound eerie to human ears, particularly at dusk or after dark, when many jackals are most active.
Scent is just as important. Jackals use urine, faeces and scent glands to mark territory and communicate with other individuals.
Are jackals dangerous to humans?
Jackals usually avoid people and are not considered a serious threat to humans. They may be involved in the transmission of diseases such as rabies in some regions, though domestic dogs are often the more important reservoir.
It’s worth noting that as scavengers, jackals also provide a useful service, removing carrion and waste that might otherwise attract disease or larger predators.
Do jackals face any threats?
All three species are currently listed by the IUCN as Least Concern, largely because they are widespread, adaptable and able to persist in human-modified landscapes. That does not mean they escape pressure entirely. Jackals are trapped, poisoned and shot in some areas because of livestock predation, and they may also be threatened by road collisions and habitat loss. Catherine Mossop
How big are jackals
They are about 65–100cm, long without their tails - depending on species. They weigh between 5–12kg
How long do jackals live?
Their average lifespan is about 8–10 years in the wild
