Jackal

Scientific classification
Kingdom Information
Domain |  Eukaryota
Kingdom |  Animalia
Subkingdom |  Bilateria
Branch |  Deuterostomia
Phylum Information
Phylum |  Chordata
Sub-phylum |  Vertebrata
Infraphylum |  Gnathostomata
Class Information
Superclass |  Tetrapoda
Class |  Mammalia
Sub-class |  Theriiformes
Infra-class |  Holotheria
Order Information
Superorder |  Preptotheria
Order |  Carnivora
Sub-order |  Caniformia
Infraorder |  Cynoidea
Family Information
Family |  Canidae
Sub-family |  Caninae
Tribe Information
Tribe |  Canini
Genus Information
Genus |  Canis
Species Information
Species |  C. adustus
C. aureus
C. mesomelas
Population statistics

Jackal refers to three species of canine found in Africa and southern Asia. Described as a possible ancestor to the domestic dog, jackals have been the subject of human religious beliefs, superstition, and persecution.

## Description[edit]

Jackals are medium-sized wild dogs, weighing between 15-25 pounds, and are up to 42 inches in length. A sandy or tan color is common to all three species, with the black-backed and side-striped jackals sporting an additional dark-colored mantle on their backs, giving them a distinctive two-toned appearance.

## Habits[edit]

They are opportunistic predators, hunting small game such as birds, rodents, small reptiles and insects. When hunting small prey, jackals will stalk silently, then utilize a sudden pouncing movement; the prey is then stunned or killed quickly by a vigorous shaking in the jaws. Hunting pairs may cooperate in getting food, with one digging at a rodent's burrow while the other waits to capture the escapee.

Jackals also scavenge the remains of kills by larger predators, as well as scavenging human habitations, seeking food deposited in garbage dumps. In recent years they have attacked livestock, resulting in a severe drop in numbers due to human persecution.

## Species[edit]

* Side-striped jackal, Canis adustus
* Golden jackal, Canis aureus
* Black-backed jackal, Canis mesomelas

Two species of wild dog have also been referred to as jackals, due to similar size and habits:

* Coyote or prairie wolf, Canis latrans, sometimes called the "American jackal"
* Ethiopian wolf or red jackal, Canis simensis

v • d • e

Canidae

Atelocynus|

Short-eared dog

Canis|

Black-backed jackal · Coyote · Dingo · Domestic dog · Ethiopian wolf · Golden jackal · Gray wolf · Red wolf

Cerdocyon|

Crab-eating fox

Chrysocyon|

Maned wolf

Cuon|

Dhole

Lycaon|

African wild dog

Lycalopex|

Argentine grey fox · Culpeo · Darwin's fox · Hoary fox · Pampas fox · Sechura fox

Nyctereutes|

Raccoon dog

Otocyon|

Bat-eared Fox

Speothos|

Bush dog

Urocyon|

Cozumel fox · Gray fox · Island fox

Vulpes|

Arctic fox · Bengal fox · Blanford's fox · Cape fox · Corsac fox · Fennec fox · Kit fox · Pale fox · Red fox · Rüppell's fox · Swift fox · Tibetan sand fox