Jackal

Canis aureus

Jackals are clever animals that look like a mix of a dog and a fox. They live in groups called packs and have a haunting howl that echoes through the night.

Habitat: Grasslands

Appearance

The Jackal is a slender, medium-sized canid with long legs, large pointed ears, and a bushy tail. Its fur is typically golden-brown to yellowish, often with darker tips and a black-tipped tail. Visually, it differs from wolves by being smaller and more graceful, and from foxes by its longer limbs.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderCarnivoraFamilyCanidaeGenusCanis

Jackal

Interesting facts

Jackals are great parents, with both mom and dad helping to raise and feed their clever pups.

Jackals are so adaptable, they can thrive in many different habitats, from hot deserts to lush grasslands!

Their calls can sound like a series of wails and yaps, often heard at dawn or dusk across the landscape!

They sometimes follow larger predators like lions to sneakily eat the leftovers of their big meals!

Special abilities

Jackal can run fast and for long distances that helps them pursue prey and escape danger across open landscapes.

Jackal has acute hearing because of large, upright ears that help them pinpoint hidden prey or approaching threats.

Jackal has an excellent sense of smell that helps them find food, locate other jackals, and detect predators.

Jackal can use a variety of barks, howls, and yelps that help them communicate with their family group.

Measurements & details

Length: 60-105 cm
Weight: 6-15 kg
Lifespan: 8-12 years
Top Speed: 50 km/h
Litter Size: 2-8
Gestation: 60-63 days

Diet & Feeding

Jackals are omnivores, meaning they eat almost anything from small animals and insects to fruits and carrion.

Primary Foods

rodents
birds
insects
carrion
fruits
berries

Foraging Method

Foraging

Ecological connections

depends on

Lion

Panthera leo

Often follows lions to scavenge leftover food.

hunts

Thomson's Gazelle

Eudorcas thomsonii

Hunts young gazelles, especially weaker ones.

hunts

Common Warthog

Phacochoerus africanus

Sometimes preys on vulnerable warthog piglets.

eats

Umbrella Thorn

Acacia tortilis

Eats fallen pods and fruits from this tree.

Traits

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Omnivorous

Meet versatile eaters who enjoy a wide variety of foods, from plants to other animals, allowing them to adapt to many different environments. They're nature's flexible diners!

Scavenger

Meet nature's clean-up crew! These important animals help keep the environment tidy by eating what other animals have left behind or things that have passed away.

Burrowing

Dig deep and discover animals that build amazing homes underground! They create tunnels and chambers to stay safe, find food, or escape the weather.

Grassland

These wide-open spaces are covered in grasses, often home to grazing animals and incredible predators! Experience the vastness of the plains.

Tool Use

Discover amazing animals that cleverly use objects from their environment to help them find food, build homes, or protect themselves. They're nature's clever inventors!

Speedster

Discover creatures that dart, zip, and fly with incredible swiftness, making them masters of rapid movement in their habitats. They are built for speed, whether chasing prey or escaping danger.