Jackal

Share Top Five March 9, 2019

Jackals are medium-sized omnivorous mammals of the genus Canis, which also includes wolves, coyotes and the domestic dog. While the word “jackal” has historically been used for many small canids, in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related black-backed jackal and side-striped jackal of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal of south-central Eurasia, which is more closely related to other members of the genus Canis,More info:wiki

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#10 Golden Jackal Still In France,More info:wilderness-society

The golden jackal is a fairly new visitor to this part of Europe, but continues to expand. Over the last decade, the jackals traveled from south-east Europe towards the north and western regions. It’s presence has been confirmed in many countries, including Austria, Denmark and the Netherlands. Since jackals prefer warmer climates, the jackal can benefit from rising temperatures due to climate overheating.

Just like its bigger relative (the wolf), the golden jackal is an effective and flexible coloniser. As an opportunistic feeder, the jackal finds its food by hunting and scavenging. In southern countries like Greece, many jackals live in close proximity of human settlement where they find a lot of food in the garbage. However, humans should not be afraid of golden jackals. Also farmers and livestock owners should not worry, as long as they properly protect their own animals.

#9 File:2012-bb-jackal-1.jpg,More info:wikipedia

#8 African golden jackals are actually golden wolves,More info:sciencemag

Look at the long, slender snout and small body of an African golden jackal, and you’d be forgiven if you confused it with the golden jackal of Eurasia. Even researchers have long considered them members of the same species, canis aureus. But a new study says the two are separate species despite their similar good looks. To come up with the new classification, researchers compared genomewide DNA samples from jackals, gray wolves, and dogs. They found that African golden jackals diverged from coyotes and gray wolves some 1.3 million years ago, compared with 1.9 million years for Eurasian golden jackals, and that the two groups’ mitochondrial DNA differs by up to 6.7%. But because both species feed on the same prey in similar environments, they may have developed nearly identical physical traits—a process known as parallel evolution. To honor their find, researchers writing in Current Biology have suggested a name closer to the creature’s roots: canis anthus, or the African golden wolf. The new classification would bring the total number of living dog species from 35 to 36, and it might just go to show that you can hide a wolf, as long as it’s in jackal’s clothing.

#7 Black-backed Jackal,More info:mpalalive

#6 Golden jackal,More info:wikipedia

The golden jackal (Canis aureus) is a wolf-like canid that is native to Southeast Europe, Southwest Asia, South Asia, and regions of Southeast Asia. Compared with the Arabian wolf (Canis lupus arabs), which is the smallest gray wolf subspecies, the jackal is smaller and possesses shorter legs, a shorter tail, a more elongated torso, a less-prominent forehead, and a narrower and more pointed muzzle. The golden jackal’s coat can vary in color from a pale creamy yellow in summer to a dark tawny beige in winter. It is listed as ‘least concern’ on the IUCN Red List due to its widespread distribution and high density in areas with plenty of available food and optimum shelter.

#5 Jackals,More info:worldanimalfoundation

Jackals are medium sized members of the canine family. There are four main species of jackal: the side-striped jackal, the golden jackal, the black-backed jackal and the Ethiopian wolf jackal.

Jackals vary in color and size. They have golden, rust or silver-colored black fur and bushy tails. Jackals inhabit deserts, grasslands, savannas, marshes, mountains, bush-lands and woodlands. The golden jackal inhabits open deserts, savannas and arid grasslands. The side-striped jackal lives in moist savannas, marshes, mountains and bushlands. The black-backed jackal, or sliver-backed jackal, is found primarily in woodlands and savannas.

Jackals are opportunistic omnivores. They eat mostly a carnivorous diet and have adapted to hunting small mammals, reptiles and birds. Being opportunistic feeders, they eat whatever is available. Some species of jackal eat poisonous snakes. Jackals also scavenge the remains of carcasses killed by other larger predators. Many jackals, especially those in the tropics of Southeast Asia, also eat plants.