Knowra Black-backed jackal Black-backed jackal The black-backed jackal is a medium-sized African canid distinguished by a dark, grizzled saddle along its back. It lives in eastern and southern Africa and eats both animal and plant foods.
Canidae : Canidae is the mammal family containing dogs, wolves, foxes, and jackals. The black-backed jackal is one of this family’s wild African members.
Foraging : Foraging is the search for and acquisition of food by an organism. The jackal adjusts its food search to local prey, carrion, and fruit.
Side-striped jackal : The side-striped jackal is an African canid with pale stripes along its flanks. It is another African jackal, but generally favors wetter habitats than the black-backed species.
Kleptoparasitism : Kleptoparasitism is the taking of food gathered or caught by another animal. Black-backed jackals sometimes obtain food by scavenging from larger carnivores.
Jackal : Jackals are several medium-sized, opportunistic canid species native to Africa and Eurasia. The black-backed jackal is one of the species commonly called jackals.
Carrion : Carrion is the decaying flesh of animals that have died. Scavenging carcasses supplements the jackal’s hunting and plant-based foods.
Golden jackal : The golden jackal is a canid native to parts of Europe, Asia, and northeastern Africa. It is a separate species despite sharing the common name jackal.
Cape fur seal : The Cape fur seal is a pinniped that breeds in large colonies along southern African coasts. At some coastal colonies, jackals prey on seal pups and scavenge carcasses.
Canis mesomelas : Canis mesomelas is the scientific name of the black-backed jackal. This binomial identifies the species in scientific classification.
Territoriality : Territoriality is the defense of an area against members of the same or other species. Pairs defend territories that can provide reliable access to food and den sites.
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