Black-backed Jackal

Black-backed Jackal - Canis mesomelas

	Male	Female
Mass (adult)	6,8 -11,4 kg	5,5 -10 kg
Shoulder height	± 38 cm	± 38 cm
Life expectancy	± 12 years	± 12 years

Trophy Records
	Minimum	Record
Rowland Ward	23 -5/8"	31 -7/8" shot in 1946
SCI	54"	69 -6/8" shot in 1994
SCI Bowhunting	48"	64 -1/8" shot in 1985

Identification
	This medium-sized, dog-like carnivore has a white-flecked, black "saddle" which is broadest at the neck and shoulders and narrows towards the base of the tail. The face, flanks and legs vary in colour from grey-brown to reddish-brown. There is white on the lips, throat and chest. The bushy tail is mainly black. The male is slightly heavier than the female.
Habitat
	This jackal, with exception of forest, utilizes most habitats. It prefers open arid areas such as woodland or grassland with enough shrubs. It is independent of water.
Habits
	In areas where they are not disturbed they are most frequently active during the cooler daylight hours but in many areas they are nocturnal. Normally they forage alone or in pairs, but in some areas they may come together temporarily in groups of six or more. Pairs form a long-term pair bond and both members mark and defend a territory against other jackals. They are mainly seen at sunset and sunrise. It rests during the day in old ant bear holes, between rocks and cliffs and is shy and cunning with a keen sense of smell.
Food
	The Black-Backed Jackal will eat virtually any food, including carrion, small antelope, mice, reptiles, insects and wild fruits. They are scavengers and gather around a carcass.
Vocalisation
	This Jackal has a characteristic screaming drawn out "nyah-nyah" yell, which ends with three, or four short "nya-nya" yaps, and is most frequently heard during the mating season, which in the south, is in the winter months.
Breeding
	From one to six pups are born between August and January after a gestation period of 2 to 2 -1/2 months. The female has 2 pairs of groin mammae.