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Home | Animals | Mammals | Canines | Jackals
Jackals
Scientific classification Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis
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Description
The three jackal species found in East Africa differ mainly in color and choice of habitat. The sandy-colored golden jackal prefers open, grassy plains, while the side-striped jackal lives along waterways with dense undergrowth. This jackal is drabber in color, has a white tip on the tail and indistinct stripes along the sides of the body. The black-backed jackal is recognized by the mantle of black hair on the back that contrasts with the rust-colored body. The tail is black-tipped, as is that of the golden jackal. The black-blacked jackal is usually the most frequently seen as it is more diurnal than the other two species.
Habitat
The common jackal lives in open savannas, deserts and arid grasslands. Side-striped jackals are found in moist savannas, marshes, bushlands and mountains. The sliver-backed jackal lives primarily in savannas and woodlands.
Behavior
Fun Facts
- 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.