The Jackal   (Canis aureus)
we saw this jackal catch and eat this bush rat



We saw this black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas) catch and eat a bush rat - its tail still protudes from the jackals mouth. Photo taken by Robert in Kalahari Gemsbok Park, Namibia (digitally enhanced by Neil Shedden).

Jackal
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.

Jackal

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.

 
EXTERNAL SITES:

Jackal @ MS Encarta




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