The jackal is a medium sized member of the dog family, originally found in Africa, Asia and southeast Europe. There are three species of jackals: Golden jackal, Side-striped jackal and Black-backed jackal. They differ in the size, colour of the fur and type of habitat.
Fast Facts about Jackals
1. Jackals vary in size depending on the species. On average, jackal can reach 15 to 35 pounds in weight and 15 to 20 inches in height at the shoulder.
2. Body of jackal is covered with golden, rust or silver-colored black fur. Jackals have bushy tail.
3. Jackals are opportunistic feeders. That mean that they will eat whatever is available. Jackals like to eat snakes and other reptiles, smaller gazelles, sheep, insects, fruit, berries and sometimes even grass
4. Jackals sometimes eat remains of dead animals that were killed by large predators
5. Jackals can live solitary life, be part of a couple or part of a large group, called pack. Life in pack ensures protection against predators and ensures cooperative hunt which results in killing of the larger prey
6. Jackals are noisy. Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a sirenlike howl when a kill is locate
7. Main predators of jackals are leopards, hyenas and eagles. Young animals are especially easy target of eagles.
8. Jackals mate for lifetime (they are monogamous). Pregnancy in females lasts around 2 months and ends usually with 2 to 4 cubs. Large litters may consist of up to 9 cubs.
9. Babies are born in a hidden underground den, rock crevices or caves. Mother changes location of the den every two weeks to prevent large predators from finding her babies. Babies are blind first 10 days of their life.
10. Jackals can survive 8 to 9 years in the wild and up to 16 years in captivity.
