The Jackals: Their Relationship with Humans and Other Animals

The Jackals: An Introduction

Jackals are medium-sized canids native to Africa and Eurasia. They are related to dogs, coyotes, foxes and wolves, but they have their own unique characteristics. They look like a cross between a German shepherd and a fox, with long legs, curved canine teeth, large feet, fused leg bones, long ears, small face, delicate legs and fluffy tail. They are opportunistic omnivores, predators of small to medium-sized animals and proficient scavengers. They are also crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk.

The Jackals

There are three species of jackals: the black-backed jackal, the side-striped jackal and the golden jackal. They live in different regions of Africa and Eurasia, adapting to various habitats and climates. They also have distinctive features that help them survive in their environments. Let's take a closer look at each species.

The Black-backed Jackal

The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is named after its black hair that runs from the back of the neck to the tail. The rest of the body is reddish-brown or ginger and the chest is white. It lives mostly in savannas and woodlands of sub-Saharan Africa. There are two separate populations: one at the southern tip of the continent and one along the eastern coastline. They are separated by the Olduvai Gorge in Tanzania, an area with harsh terrain that is difficult to cross.

The black-backed jackal is an adaptable hunter and scavenger. It feeds on a variety of prey, such as rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, insects, fruits and carrion. It can also follow larger predators, such as lions, hyenas and leopards, and steal their kills or leftovers. It has a keen sense of smell, hearing and vision that help it locate food sources.

The black-backed jackal is a social animal that forms monogamous pairs. The pair defends its territory from other pairs by vigorously chasing intruding rivals and marking landmarks around the territory with their urine and feces. The territory may be large enough to hold some young adults, which stay with their parents until they establish their own territories. The pair also cooperates in raising their offspring, which are born in dens or burrows. The parents provide food, protection and guidance for their pups until they become independent.

The Side-striped Jackal

The side-striped jackal (Lupulella adusta) is light gray to tan with a white stripe from elbow to hip and black side stripes. It lives predominantly in tropical Africa and prefers moist savannas, marshes, bushlands and mountains. It is more widespread than the black-backed jackal, but less common and less studied.

The side-striped jackal is a generalist feeder that consumes a variety of plant and animal matter. It eats rodents, birds, eggs, insects, fruits, berries, roots and tubers. It can also scavenge on carcasses or human waste. It has a less developed sense of smell than the black-backed jackal, but a more developed sense of taste that helps it detect toxins in plants.

The side-striped jackal is a shy and elusive animal that avoids predators and humans. It has a low-pitched, owl-like howl that it uses to communicate with other jackals. It is less territorial than the black-backed jackal, but still forms monogamous pairs that share a home range. The pair also cooperates in raising their offspring, which are born in dens or hollow logs. The parents provide food, protection and guidance for their pups until they become independent.

The Golden Jackal

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is the most widespread and the most northern species of jackal. It lives in south-central Europe and Asia, from Greece to Burma. It inhabits dry and open areas, such as deserts, open savannas and arid grasslands. Its coat is usually yellow to pale gold and brown-tipped, but the color can vary with season and region.

The golden jackal is a versatile hunter and scavenger. It feeds on a variety of prey, such as rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, insects, fruits and carrion. It can also cooperate with other jackals and wolves to hunt larger animals, such as deer, antelope or wild boar. It has a high-pitched, yapping howl that it uses to communicate with other jackals.

The golden jackal is a social animal that forms monogamous pairs or small packs. The pair or pack defends its territory from other groups by aggressively chasing intruding rivals and marking landmarks around the territory with their urine and feces. The territory may be small or large depending on the availability of food resources. The pair or pack also cooperates in raising their offspring, which are born in dens or caves. The parents provide food, protection and guidance for their pups until they become independent.

The Jackals and Humans

Jackals have a complex relationship with humans. On one hand, they benefit from human activities and settlements that provide them with food sources, such as garbage dumps, slaughterhouses, farms and villages. They can also help humans by controlling rodent populations and cleaning up carcasses.

On the other hand, they pose threats to livestock and crops that humans depend on for their livelihoods. They can kill sheep, goats, chickens and other domestic animals or damage fruits, vegetables and grains. They can also transmit diseases to humans and their pets, such as rabies, leptospirosis and canine distemper.

Jackals also inspire myths and legends in different cultures that reflect their cunning and adaptable nature. In ancient Egypt, jackals were associated with Anubis, the god of mummification and the afterlife. In ancient Greece, jackals were linked to Dionysus, the god of wine and fertility. In India, jackals were depicted as tricksters or fools in folktales and fables. In Africa, jackals were portrayed as clever or greedy characters in oral traditions.

Conclusion

Jackals are fascinating animals that belong to the canine family. They are divided into three species: the black-backed jackal, the side-striped jackal and the golden jackal. They live in different regions of Africa and Eurasia, adapting to various habitats and climates. They have distinctive features that help them survive in their environments. They are opportunistic omnivores, predators of small to medium-sized animals and proficient scavengers. They are also crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. They are social animals that form monogamous pairs or small packs that defend their territories and cooperate in raising their offspring.

Jackals are important for biodiversity and ecosystem balance. They play a vital role in controlling rodent populations and cleaning up carcasses. They also serve as prey for larger predators, such as lions, hyenas and leopards.

FAQs

Here are some common questions and answers about jackals.

• Q: How long do jackals live?

• A: Jackals can live up to 10 to 12 years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity.

• Q: How many pups do jackals have?

• A: Jackals usually have two to six pups per litter, depending on the species and the availability of food resources.

• Q: How fast can jackals run?

• A: Jackals can run up to 16 km/h (10 mph) for extended periods of time. They can also sprint up to 65 km/h (40 mph) for short distances.

• Q: Are jackals endangered?

• A: Jackals are not endangered, but they face threats from habitat loss, human persecution, poaching and disease outbreaks.

• Q: Can jackals interbreed with other canines?

• A: Jackals can interbreed with other canines, such as dogs, wolves and coyotes, producing fertile or sterile hybrids. For example, the African golden wolf was formerly considered a jackal, but it is now recognized as a distinct species that resulted from hybridization between the golden jackal and the gray wolf.

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