Black+backed+jackal

The black-backed jackal is considered to be a very ancient species. They are very closely related to the side-striped jackal. They are monogamous animals which means they mate for life, and their young may remain in the family to help raise the new generations of pups. The black-backed jackal is not a picky eater whatsoever. They will feed on medium and small sized animals as well as plant matter and human refuse. I’d say that the black-backed jackal is a go with the flow type of animal!

The black-backed jackal has a body that is very similar to the one of fox. They have a slender body, long legs and large ears. Their weight ranges from 13-29 pounds and they are 27-32 inches in body length. The color of their fur is a red-ish brown to a tan. They also have a long black stripe that extends along the flanks which separates the saddle from the rest of the body. That black stripe can be used to identify who is who. Their winter fur coat changes to a deeper red-ish brown. Based on all of these characteristics, one can easily tell the difference between the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal.

The black-backed jackal is a very territorial animal, because they are very protective of their families. The elder offspring take care of the pups and teach them how to hunt and or defend themselves in the wild. Since they are very territorial animals, they will urinate on distinctive areas to mark their territory. Sounds made by these animals include yelling, yelping, woofing, whining, growling, and cackling to communicate with their other group members. When trapped, they will cackle like a fox.

You can find the black-backed jackal in open areas with little dense vegetation. You can also find them in a wide range of habitats from coastal deserts to places with more than 2000 mm of rainfall. Black-backed jackals are omnivores, which feed on invertebrates, such as beetles, grasshoppers, crickets, termites, millipedes, spiders and scorpions. They will also feed on mammals, such as rodents, hares and young antelopes up to the size of topi calves. They will also feed on carrion, lizards, and snakes. In South Africa, they typically prey on antelopes.