Black-backed Jackal

The black-backed jackal is a medium-sized canid native to Africa, easily recognized by the black saddle of fur running along its back. It is highly adaptable, thriving in savannas, grasslands, and semi-arid regions of southern and eastern Africa. Known for its intelligence and opportunistic feeding habits, it plays an important ecological role as both predator and scavenger. Its resilience has allowed it to persist even in areas with significant human presence.

Southern and Eastern Africa, notably Namibia, South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya, and Tanzania

Two disjunct populations: one in southern Africa (Namibia, Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, southern Angola) and one in East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania, Somalia, Ethiopia). The species is absent from the central African region separating these populations.

Altitude and depth

Sea level up to approximately 2,500 meters in some highland regions

Seasonal movements

No true migration; however, breeding and denning behavior is seasonal, typically timed to coincide with resource availability such as the rainy season.

Occupies a wide range of habitats including open savanna, grassland, scrubland, semi-desert, and coastal areas; avoids dense forest. Highly adaptable to human-altered landscapes such as farmland.

Adaptations to its environment

Highly adaptable diet and behavior allow survival in arid and semi-arid environments; efficient water conservation physiology reduces dependence on standing water. Excellent hearing and keen sense of smell aid in locating prey and avoiding predators.

Listed as Least Concern by IUCN due to wide distribution, adaptability, and stable to increasing populations in many areas, despite localized persecution.

Estimated population

No precise global population count exists, but the species is considered common and stable, with local increases in some agricultural areas due to adaptability.

Persecution by farmers due to livestock predation, poisoning, trapping, and habitat fragmentation. Rabies outbreaks can also cause local population declines.

Diseases and parasites

Susceptible to rabies, canine distemper, and various parasitic infections including ticks and intestinal worms; rabies outbreaks can significantly affect local populations.

Protected within many national parks and reserves across its range; some countries regulate lethal control methods on farmland. Research on human-wildlife conflict mitigation is ongoing.

Recommended actions

Promote non-lethal livestock protection methods, continued monitoring of rabies and disease dynamics, and public education to reduce unnecessary killing.

Reddish-brown to tawny body with a distinctive black-and-silver saddle running from shoulders to tail base. Bushy black-tipped tail and large, pointed ears typical of jackals.

Size

Body length 70-90 cm, with a tail of 30-40 cm; shoulder height around 38-48 cm

Weight

Typically 6-13 kg, with males slightly larger than females on average

Distinctive features

The prominent black saddle patch, contrasting with reddish flanks, distinguishes it from the side-striped and golden jackals. Its erect ears and slender build give it a fox-like appearance.

Differences between males and females

Minimal sexual dimorphism; males are marginally larger and heavier than females but coloration is identical.

Primarily monogamous pairs that maintain territories, sometimes accompanied by offspring from previous litters who assist with pup-rearing. Occasionally seen in small family groups but generally solitary or paired when foraging.

When it is active

Mainly nocturnal and crepuscular, though can be active during the day in undisturbed areas.

Diet

Omnivorous opportunist feeding on small mammals, insects, birds, reptiles, fruit, and carrion; also known to prey on livestock like young lambs in farming regions.

How it feeds and hunts

Hunts alone or in pairs using stalking and pouncing techniques on small prey; scavenges from larger predator kills and can cooperatively harass predators to steal food.

Communication

Communicates through a mix of vocalizations including yelps, barks, and a distinctive high-pitched call used for pair bonding and territory defense; also relies on scent marking and body postures.

Interactions with other species

Competes with other mesopredators such as bat-eared foxes and caracals; often scavenges from lion and leopard kills, risking confrontation with larger predators. Occasionally targeted by larger carnivores like hyenas.

Role in its ecosystem

Acts as a mesopredator and scavenger, helping control small mammal and insect populations while also cleaning up carrion, contributing to nutrient cycling in ecosystems.

Breeding season generally occurs once yearly, with gestation lasting about 60 days; litters range from 1-6 pups born in a den.

Raising the young

Both parents and sometimes older siblings participate in raising pups, providing food and protection until weaning at around 8-9 weeks. Family units may stay together for extended periods to assist with subsequent litters.

Maturity and lifespan

Reaches sexual maturity around 6-11 months; lifespan in the wild is typically 7-10 years, up to 12-14 years in captivity.

Classification

Mammalia > Carnivora > Canidae > Lupulella > Lupulella mesomelas

Subspecies

Two recognized subspecies: Lupulella mesomelas mesomelas (southern Africa) and Lupulella mesomelas schmidti (East Africa), separated by a large gap in distribution.

Scientific synonyms

Canis mesomelas (former classification before genus revision)

Recent studies

Recent genomic studies reclassified African jackals into the genus Lupulella, separating them from the Eurasian Canis lineage, highlighting distinct evolutionary history.

Genome and DNA

Diploid chromosome number of 78, similar to other canids; genetic studies have helped clarify its placement in the newly recognized African wolf-like canid genus Lupulella.

Compared with similar species

Distinguished from the side-striped jackal by its black saddle versus pale side stripe, and from the golden jackal by more contrasting coloration and different range overlap.

Black-backed jackals can reach speeds of up to 55 km/h when chasing prey or evading predators; they are known for their bold behavior of following and harassing lions to scavenge kills. Their duet calls between mated pairs are among the most distinctive sounds of the African night.

Where and how to see it

Best observed at dusk or dawn in savanna reserves such as Etosha National Park in Namibia or the Serengeti in Tanzania; listening for their calls at night can help locate them.

Risks to humans

Generally low risk to humans, though rabies transmission is a concern in areas with high jackal-human contact; occasional livestock predation causes conflict with farmers.

Human uses

Historically hunted for fur and as pest control on farmland; some traditional uses include their pelts in local ceremonial attire.

Myths and legends

In some African folklore, jackals are portrayed as cunning tricksters, similar to fox figures in other cultures, often symbolizing cleverness and adaptability.