#jackals

Back in the Black-Backed Jackal

The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a species of jackal endemic to Africa. There are two subspecies; the cape black-backed jackal can be found from South Africa up to southern Angola, while the East African black jackal is found along the eastern coast including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia. Both populations prefer open savannas or sparse woodlands, although they can be found in a variety of habitats including deserts and urban areas.

L. mesmomelas is an opportunistic omnivore, and their typical diet includes invertebrates, rodents, hares, small antelopes, carrion, birds and bird eggs, reptiles, and fruits or vegetation. They often hunt at night and in packs, especially when taking down larger prey, but they are also known to forage alone. Adults are sometimes killed by leopards and African wild dogs, while pups are vulnerable to African wolves, honey badgers, and hyenas.

In general, black-backed jackals are highly social. Packs are made up of a mated pair and their offspring; often the older adult children will stick around to help rear their younger siblings until they can establish their own territories. Each mated pair maintains a territory via scent-marking, and will become aggressive towards intruders.

Mating occurs from May to August; pairs establish a den, and after a two-month pregnancy the female gives birth to a litter of up to 4 pups. The pups are born blind and deaf, but begin to open their eyes and move around after 8-10 days. While the mother, and when available their older sisters, nurses the pups, the father-- and any other older siblings-- hunts for food and then regurgitates part of his findings back at the den for her to eat. Pups begin to emerge from their den at 3 weeks old, and are weaned at 9 weeks. They reach sexual maturity at 11 months old, and individuals may live for up to 14 years in the wild.

Black-backed jackals are on the small side of the canine family, weighing between 6–13 kg (13–29 lb), and standing 38–48 cm (15–19 in) at the shoulder; males tend to be slightly larger than females. They are built lean, with large pointed ears to help prevent overheating and bushy tails for balance. Both sexes have reddish brown or tan fur, with a silver or black back, although this coloration can be duller in females.

Conservation status: The IUCN has classified black-backed jackals as Least Concern. They occur in large numbers throughout their ranges, although they are regularly hunted by farmers as livestock pests.

Photos

Karl Svendsen

Marine Drouilly

The alligator and the jackal. The New Barnes Readers. Book Two. 1916.