While Africa presents fierce obstacles to most wildlife, perhaps no animal fills its niche here better than the jackal (Canis aureus). A member of the dog family, the jackal looks more like a fox, with its bushy tail and greyish-brown coat. Slightly built, able to range over nearly 200 miles, the jackal eats nearly everything it can find. Chiefly a scavenger, the jackal feeds on the remains of dead animals, but will occasionally hunt down small mammals. If animals are nowhere to be found, jackals will settle for a meal of lizards, insects, and even grass.
The Hunt
When it hunts for small
mammals and insects, the jackal usually hunts alone. Preferring to hunt by
night, it begins its hunt at sunset and ends at sunrise. Before starting
its hunt, the jackal will howl. According to scientists, these first howls
announce the beginning of the hunt. At dawn, the jackal will howl again.
Pairs or small groups of jackals sometimes organize to hunt larger game,
such as young gazelles or springbok.
Together for Life
A mating pair of
jackals often stay together for years, and sometimes do so for life. The
male and female both care for any pups that are born.
Distribution
Jackal, common name of certain wild dogs that inhabit plains,
deserts, and prairies. The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is common
from northern Africa to southeastern Europe and India. The
black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), side-striped jackal (Canis
adustus), and Simien jackal (Canis simensis) are found in Africa.
The jackal's coat is typically grizzled tawny-buff in color; the tip of
the bushy tail is dark. It is omnivorous and hunts in small groups,
pairs, or alone.
