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Facts about this animal

The jackal, a medium-sized carnivore with dog-like features and a bushy tail, is widely distributed in Africa, the Middle East and India. This animal has long been the subject of superstition about death and evil spirits. The ancient Egyptians believed a jackal-headed god, Anubis, guided the dead to those who judged their souls. Such beliefs were probably encouraged by the jackal's cleverness, nocturnal habits, eerie howling and scavenging.

Both nocturnal and diurnal. They are very well known for their weariness and cunning behaviors to avoid predators and traps. They will use burrows dug by other species.

Jackals live singly or in pairs, and are sometimes found in small packs. They are among the few mammalian species in which the male and female mate for life. Mated pairs are territorial, and both the female and male mark and defend the boundaries of their territory. Yipping calls are made when the family gathers. Members only respond to their own family's calls and ignore those of other individuals. Although they have long had a reputation as sneaky, skulking scavengers, research has shown jackals to be agile, lithe hunters with close-knit, cooperative family groups. They have been successful in adapting to changing environments.

Jackals are noisy. Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a siren-like howl when a kill is located. Jackals are very cunning and resourceful. Although usually considered scavengers-they do pick over kills made by large carnivores and frequent rubbish dumps-they also hunt and kill a variety of prey.

Factsheet

Scientific classification

• Swahili Name: Bweha
• Scientific Name: Canis mesomelas
• Size: 96-110cm length, 38cm shoulder height.
• Weight: 6-10kgs
• Lifespan: 10-12 years
• Habitat: Savanna and light woodland
• Diet: Omnivorous/scavenge
• Gestation: 2 months
• Predators: Lions, leopards, cheetahs, hyenas

Conservation status: Least concern / abundant