What Is the Black-Backed Jackal?

The black-backed jackal, or Canis mesomelas, is a small canid named for the black fur that runs the length of its body from neck to tail. They are found in a variety of habitats in parts of southern and eastern Africa. Most black-backed jackals are active during both day and night, although those that live near humans are more nocturnal. Known for its cunning nature, these jackals forage for food in groups, feeding on mammals, reptiles, birds, carrion and garbage. Instead of forming packs, they live as individual families consisting of a male and female pair and their offspring.

Black-backed jackals have rusty or reddish-colored coats with white bellies and chests. The patch of black fur running down their back sets them apart from other species, such as the sandy-colored golden jackal. They have large, pointed ears and narrow muzzles. An adult black-backed jackal typically weighs between 11 and 22 pounds (5 to 10 kg) and measures around 3 feet (1 meter) in length.

This highly adaptive species lives in several habitats in areas of southern Africa, including South Africa, Botswana & Namibia. They can also be found in eastern African countries such as Ethiopia, Kenya and Somalia. Black-backed jackals are clever and manage to find food and shelter in deserts, savannas and open woodlands, as well as in cities and suburbs.

These jackals are considered both diurnal and nocturnal. They are often out looking for food during the day and at night. Jackals living near cities and towns tend to be more active during the night in order to avoid potential conflicts with humans. Although they are not generally aggressive, they will attack in order to defend their territory.

The black-backed jackal is an opportunistic forager with a varied diet. They generally gather in small groups of up to ten individuals to scavenge for any food that is available near their territories. Common food sources include insects, fruits, small & medium-sized mammals, birds, carcasses and trash, although the jackals occasionally prey on pets and livestock.

Social units among the black-backed jackal species are small compared to canids that gather in packs. A typical group has two adults and their pups, although offspring from previous years sometimes remain with their parents for awhile. Unlike many other species of mammals, pairs of black-backed jackals remain monogamous for most or all of their lives. Females give birth to litters of one to seven pups during the spring or summer.

The black-backed jackal is a canid native to two areas of Africa: East and Southern Africa. It's known for its distinctive silver-black fur on its back and tail. These adaptable animals inhabit savannas, deserts, and bushlands, often near human settlements. They are widespread and not currently considered endangered.

Black-backed jackals are opportunistic omnivores with a diet that includes insects, rodents, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruit, and carrion. They are also known to scavenge from larger predators' kills and, occasionally, will hunt small antelopes or domestic animals, showcasing their adaptable foraging behavior.

Black-backed jackals are monogamous and form long-term pair bonds. They live in small family groups consisting of the mated pair and their offspring. Breeding once a year, females give birth to 2-6 pups after a gestation period of about 60 days. Both parents participate in raising the young, which helps ensure higher survival rates.

Black-backed jackals are generally not dangerous to humans, as they are naturally wary and tend to avoid close interactions. However, they can be a nuisance to livestock farmers, as they may prey on small domestic animals. In some regions, they are considered pests and are subject to control measures to protect livestock.

Black-backed jackals face threats such as habitat loss due to agricultural expansion, persecution as pests by farmers, and diseases like rabies and canine distemper. Despite these challenges, they have shown remarkable resilience and adaptability, maintaining stable populations in most of their range.

As both predators and scavengers, black-backed jackals play a crucial role in their ecosystem by controlling rodent populations and cleaning up carrion, which helps prevent the spread of disease. Their presence indicates a healthy, functioning ecosystem, where various trophic levels are in balance.