Jackal Appearance
How to Identify the Black-Backed Jackal
The black-backed jackal is one of Africa’s most distinctive medium-sized canids. It weighs 6–13 kg (13–29 lb), stands 38–48 cm (15–19 in) at the shoulder, and measures 67–81 cm (26–32 in) in body length. Its coat ranges from reddish brown to tan, with a signature black-and-silver saddle stretching from the shoulders to the tail base. A sharp black stripe outlines the saddle, while the lips, throat, and inner limbs are white.
Its build is fox-like, with long legs and large ears that enhance heat regulation and acute hearing. The skull is more robust than that of the side-striped or golden jackal, featuring sharper incisors. Seasonal coat changes deepen the reddish tones in winter, and although uncommon, albino individuals do occur.
Habitat
How Black-Backed Jackals Live, Communicate and Raise Their Young
This species occurs in two separated African populations—one in eastern Africa (Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Eritrea, Djibouti) and another in southern Africa (South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe). Despite the 900 km geographical gap, both populations thrive due to the jackal’s adaptability.
Black-backed jackals form monogamous pairs, creating long-term family units. Older offspring often remain to help raise new pups, significantly improving survival rates. Territories are defended through scent marking, vocal displays, and direct aggression toward intruders.
They are extremely vocal, producing howls, yelps, whines, growls, and explosive alarm cries. When mobbing a leopard, their frantic high-pitched calls carry over long distances. Interestingly, they howl less in areas where they coexist with African golden wolves, relying more on yelping instead.
Breeding occurs from May to August, with pups born July to October after a 60-day gestation. Litters range from 1 to 9 pups. Pups open their eyes after 8–10 days, leave the den at 3 weeks, wean at 8–9 weeks, and begin hunting by 6 months. Sexual maturity comes at 11 months, though few breed in their first year.
The species lives on average 7 years in the wild, and up to twice as long in captivity.
Ecology
Where Black-Backed Jackals Thrive and What They Eat
Black-backed jackals are highly adaptable and occupy semi-deserts, open grasslands, savanna mosaics, coastal dunes, alpine areas, and even agricultural or peri-urban regions. They prefer open terrain that allows visibility and easier hunting.
They are omnivores and opportunistic predators. Their diet includes beetles, termites, scorpions, rodents, hares, birds, reptiles, and fruits. They scavenge readily and take advantage of human refuse when available.
In South Africa, they frequently prey on impala, springbok, duiker, reedbuck, steenbok, and hares. They also hunt small carnivores such as mongooses and wildcats. During the dry season in East Africa, they target the young of gazelles, warthogs, topi and tsessebe.
Despite their size, a single jackal can kill an adult impala, and pairs have been observed killing larger or compromised animals—including a crippled rhinoceros, kori bustard, and even a black mamba through persistent harassment.
They also cache surplus food, a behaviour shared with many canids.
Predators of jackal pups include African wolves, honey badgers, spotted and brown hyenas. Adult jackals are mainly threatened by leopards and African wild dogs, though martial eagles have been recorded taking both juveniles and adults.
Due to their resilience, wide range, and ecological flexibility, they remain listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.