What kind of animal is the black-backed jackal? We will explain its characteristics, ecology, and habitat. It is a carnivore that belongs to the Canidae family. The black-backed jackal can only be found on the African continent, but its population is stable.
What is a Black-backed Jackal? Basic Stats
The black-backed jackal is a carnivore classified as a member of the Canidae family. Its English name is Black-backed Jackal, and its scientific name is Lupulella mesomelas. Its body length is 60-90cm, its weight is 5.5-12kg, and its tail length is 26-40cm. The list of information is as follows.
| Japanese（和名） | セグロジャッカル |
| English（英名） | Black-backed Jackal |
| scientific name(学名) | Lupulella mesomelas |
| classification（分類） | Mammalia、Carnivora、 Canidae 哺乳綱、ネコ目、イヌ科 |
| IUCN Status(保全状況) | LEAST CONCERN |
| Length（体長） | 60～90cm |
| Weight（体重） | 5.5～12kg |
Taxonomy of the Black-backed Jackal
界・門・綱
- 界（Kingdom）: Animalia（動物界）
- 門（Phylum）: Chordata（脊索動物門）
- 綱（Class）: Mammalia（哺乳綱）
- 目（Order）: Carnivora（食肉目）
- 科（Family）: Canidae（イヌ科）
- 属（Genus）: Canis（イヌ属）
- 種（Species）: Canis aureus（セグロジャッカル）
About habitat
Black-backed jackals are widely distributed in eastern Africa. Jackals are a type of dog, and their eyes look more like those of a fox than any other dog.
- Geographic Distribution
The black-backed jackal is a widespread jackal, with its habitats varying slightly depending on the region.
Southern Europe: Greece, the Balkans, Bulgaria, Romania, etc.
Middle East: Turkey, Syria, Lebanon, Israel, etc.
Southern Asia: India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan
Northern Africa: Egypt, Libya, Algeria (though North African populations may be more similar to wolves).
Each subspecies has a different distribution; for example, the Indian subspecies, C. a. indicus, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent.
- Environment/Habitat Type
The black-backed jackal is a relatively adaptable animal, able to live in a variety of environments.
Grasslands/Savannas
Suitable for hunting small mammals and birds in open areas.
Open forests
They live in forests and forest edges with scattered shrubs and shrubs, hiding and surviving.
Agricultural lands/near-crowded areas
They may use livestock and food scraps as a food source. Near Water Sources
They tend to prefer areas around rivers and lakes, which are convenient for bathing and hunting.
- Habitat Characteristics
They can adapt to a wide range of altitudes, from lowlands to mid-mountainous areas.
They are relatively tolerant of human activity, but avoid completely urban areas.
They cannot survive in harsh environments where food is scarce.
What are its characteristics? What kind of creature is it?
Its coat is reddish brown, and the sides of its body are orange. Its body is slender, with five forelimbs and four hind limbs, and its tail is very long at the end. Black-backed jackals are primarily nocturnal animals and often rest during the day. They live in forests, open grasslands, and savannas.
- Morphology
Body Length: Approximately 60-90 cm
Tail Length: 25-40 cm
Weight: 6-15 kg (Males are slightly larger)
Coat Color: Grayish-yellowish brown on the back, lighter on the belly and legs
Ears: Pointed and erect, with well-developed hearing
Tail: Slightly bushy, sometimes inflated when alert
Appearance: Resembles a small wolf and a fox. Overall, it is slender and agile.
- Behavior/Lifestyle
Nocturnal, but sometimes active during the day
Live alone or in small family groups (2-5 individuals)
Territorial: Mark their territory to mark their territory
Communication: Communicate through howls, calls, and body movements
- Diet
Omnivorous
Small mammals (rats, rabbits, etc.)
Birds and eggs
Fruits and vegetables
If the opportunity arises, they will eat scraps from livestock or humans
Hunting Method: Primarily hunts small prey alone at night, but sometimes cooperates with family groups
- Biology/Personality
Intelligent and cautious
Highly adaptable: Able to adapt their lifestyle to suit their environment and food needs
Timid but opportunistic: Tends to avoid humans, but will appear where food is available
Breeding: Gives birth to 2-6 pups once or twice a year
What is their personality like?
Black-backed jackals have very keen hearing and smell, and are said to be very good at finding food. Their range of movement is about 11 km2. Black-backed jackals tend to be very solitary.
- Highly Cautious
In the wild, they need to protect themselves from predators and humans, so they are very cautious.
They tend to be solitary and avoid approaching people and other animals.
- Intelligent and Flexible
They have a high adaptability, able to change their behavior depending on the environment and food.
They seize opportunities and act intelligently when searching for food.
Many individuals are active in farmland and human settlements, and are intelligent creatures that live adaptably to the changing circumstances.
- Social
They are generally solitary, but during breeding season and parent-child pairs, they will form small family groups (2-5 individuals).
Within the pack, the division of roles is not very complex, but they will sometimes cooperate to hunt.
They are territorial and mark their territory.
- Active and Agile
They have a body shape similar to that of a small wolf and are agile.
They are nocturnal and often hide and rest during the day, but will be active during the day if food is available.
- Timid but bold when the opportunity arises
They are timid around humans and large animals, but will approach aggressively if food is available.
In other words, they are the type that switches between being cautious and bold depending on the situation.
What is their ecology like?
Black-backed jackals are omnivorous, eating not only small animals, birds, amphibians such as frogs, reptiles such as snakes and lizards, and insects, but also fruits and other plants. Their breeding season is from May to August, and they have a 60-day gestation period, and they can give birth to 1-9 pups at a time. They reach sexual maturity at 11 months. Their lifespan is said to be 7 to 15 years.
- Lifestyle
Activity: Primarily nocturnal (active at night), but may be active during the day in areas with abundant food.
Range of Activity: Moves alone or in small family groups (2-5 individuals).
Territory: They have their own living area and mark it with urine and feces to let others know.
- Breeding and Rearing
Breeding Season: Once or twice a year (varies by region)
Number of Pups: 2-6 per litter
Rearing: The mother is the primary caregiver, but the father and family group may also help by bringing food.
Development: They are able to participate in hunting at around 6 months of age and generally become independent around 1 year of age.
- Diet/Hunting
Omnivorous (omnivorous)
Small mammals (rats, rabbits, etc.)
Birds and their eggs
Also eat insects, fruits, and vegetables
In farmland or near human settlements, they may also eat food scraps and small livestock.
Hunting Method: Primarily hunts alone for small prey, but sometimes cooperates with family groups.
Food Acquisition: Opportunistic, making the most of available food.
- Social Structure/Communication
Mostly solitary, but cooperative within family groups.
Communication Method:
Howls to indicate distance from others
Expresses emotions and alertness with tail and ear movements
Scent communicates territory and breeding status
- Habitat Relationship
Adapts to a variety of environments, including grasslands, savannas, open forests, waterside areas, and farmland
Flexibly adapts to human habitats
Can tolerate dry and cold conditions to some extent, but avoids areas with scarce food
Do they have any natural enemies?
Natural enemies of the black-backed jackal include leopards and cheetahs.
About Black-Backed Jackal Cubs
This section provides a detailed summary of the characteristics and ecology of black-backed jackal (Canis aureus) cubs.
- Birth
Breeding Season: Once or twice a year (depending on region)
Litter Size: Typically 2-6 pups per litter
Birth Weight: Approximately 150-200g
Coat Color: Newborns have gray or light brown fur, and the yellow-brown back fur of adults is not yet fully defined.
- Developmental Stages
Neonatal Period (0-2 weeks old)
Eyes and ears are closed and they are virtually helpless
Feeding through breast milk
Spending time in the safety of their mother’s den
Cub (2-6 weeks old)
Eyes open and they can hear
Begin simple movements (walking and crawling)
Become cared for by their parents through grooming and nursing
Weaning Period (6-12 weeks old)
Slowly introduce solid foods (small mammals, fruit, etc.)
Begin hunting practice with their parents
Learns communication within the pack
Late Cub (3-6 months old)
Becomes able to participate in hunting
Learns hunting skills and social skills through play
Their bodies gradually approach adult size
- Behavior and Personality of Young Animals
Curious and playful: They learn motor skills and hunting techniques through play.
Highly dependent on their parents: They rely on dens and food.
High learning ability: They learn survival skills by observing their parents’ behavior.
Alertness also gradually develops: Their ability to sense danger improves significantly within the first few months of life.
- Dens and Safety Measures
Mothers and family members change the location of dens and protect young from predators.
Dens are selected in safe, hidden locations such as bushes, rocks, and shrubs.
- Transition to Adulthood
Becomes largely independent at 6-12 months of age.
At around one year of age, some individuals begin to participate in hunting and leave the family pack.
Is the black-backed jackal an endangered species?
The black-backed jackal is not designated as an endangered species. Its population is gradually decreasing due to habitat destruction caused by development and extermination as a pest that damages livestock and crops.
- IUCN Assessment
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List categorizes the black-backed jackal as “LC (Least Concern)” (low risk).
Reasons:
Wide range (southern Europe, the Middle East, South Asia, and North Africa).
Highly adaptable, able to survive close to human settlements.
Relatively stable population.
- Regional Status
Stable Areas: India, Sri Lanka, and many parts of the Middle East.
Possible Declining Areas:
Southern Europe: Localized declines due to agricultural development and human activity.
North Africa: Small populations, requiring caution, including for wolf-related subspecies.
- Major Threats
Habitat Destruction: Urbanization and agricultural expansion.
Hunting and Capture: May be exterminated as a threat to livestock.
Human Contact: Risk of road traffic accidents and disease.
- Need for Protection
While the global risk of extinction is low, monitoring and conservation measures are important to prevent localized habitat destruction and conflict with humans.
Particular attention should be paid to the small populations in North Africa and Europe.
Can you keep black-backed jackals as pets?
Black-backed jackals are carnivores and are likely to attack livestock living nearby, so they are not very suitable for ordinary people to keep as pets.
- Nature of Wild Animals
Black-backed jackals are wild canines and are not fully domesticated.
Characteristic Personality:
Highly alert and timid
Intelligent and highly agile
They are adaptable to different diets and environments, but are sensitive to stress.
Once they reach adulthood, their wild instincts remain strong and they cannot be treated like domestic dogs.
- Legal and Regulatory Aspects
In many countries, black-backed jackals are considered wild and endangered, and special permits are required to keep them as pets.
In Japan:
They are designated as “specified animals,” and permission from the prefectural governor is required to keep or adopt them.
Keeping them without permission may result in penalties (fines and imprisonment).
- Difficulties in Raising
Large exercise space required: Because they are agile and active, small spaces can be stressful.
Dietary management is complex: Although they are omnivorous, they require a special, nutritionally balanced diet.
Social issues: Managing aggression and stress can be difficult if kept alone.
Medical and veterinary care: As wild animals, they require different disease and health management than regular dogs.
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