Jackal predatory animal belongs to the canine family. It is in many ways similar to its relatives, dogs and wolves, but still has significant differences. Compared to wolves, these animals are smaller. Their diet consists of not too large birds and animals, although sometimes jackals can eat large animals that are sick or dead. During the hunt, they prefer to lie low and attack the victim from an ambush, making a rapid throw. Often, the prey of a jackal is the cubs of large animals.
Area
Jackals are found in many countries. In Asia, they live mainly in the southern regions, but there are still species of jackals living a little to the north, at the foot of the Himalayas and the Pamirs. They can also be found in the Caucasus and southern Turkmenistan.
In the European part, jackals live in the Balkans and in countries south of Hungary. Here you can find a species called the golden jackal.
North and northeast Africa is the habitat of the largest species, which include wolf, Senegalese, Ethiopian and other species of jackals.
Kinds
The animal world is very diverse. Studying the canine family, one wonders how many species are known to mankind. Here are just some varieties of jackals:
- golden;
- ordinary;
- Senegalese
- Ethiopian;
- striped;
- wolf, etc.
Let's consider some of them in more detail.
Jackal
This species is called the African wolf or the Asian jackal. Area:
- Africa (northern part);
- Europe (center and southeast);
- Asia (southeast).
Outwardly, an ordinary jackal is very similar to its relatives - gray wolves. Its main differences: sharp muzzle, small tail, slim physique. The animal has a light gait, and the color in the winter has red-red tones, while the wolf has a heavy step and the coat is mainly gray.
The common jackal, although it has such a name, has more similarities with coyotes, gray and Ethiopian wolves. He looks a little like a striped and black-headed jackal. In the folk tales of African and Asian peoples he is referred to as a sly and deceiver. In them, the jackal animal is the prototype of the coyote and fox, who became the heroes of ancient tales of the peoples of Europe and North America.
The shedding process takes 60 days. It happens twice a year:
- In the fall. In the second half of September, the animal begins to molt from the tail. Further, this process goes to the back, stomach and sides, subsequently extending to the limbs and head of the jackal.
- In the spring. In March, molting initially begins with the limbs and head of the jackal, then gradually passes to the sides, back and other parts of the body, including the tail.
Jackals are very careful in hunting. They will not attack animals that are larger than them. The jackal seeks out prey, steals up to her stealthily and makes a sharp jump. They attack large animals only in packs.
Breeding Common Jackals
As a rule, ordinary jackals live in pairs or with their offspring. It’s difficult to meet large flocks, but still they happen. Mostly these are places where a lot of waste from human life is concentrated. Animals here do not lack food, therefore, are grouped in flocks. Unlike other species, the jackal ordinary lives quite peacefully in its family.
The mating season lasts about 28 days. What is surprising, all this time the male and female are inseparable. The estrus lasts 4 days, and if the mating was unsuccessful, it resumes for 6-8 days. The mating period is February.
A female jackal carries babies within 60–63 days. There are a minimum of 2 puppies and a maximum of 8 puppies. Kids are born completely blind. Their coat is soft and has a gray to brown color. After a month, the color changes and acquires the usual color for this species - red-red, interspersed with a black shade. Puppies open their eyes for 8-11 days. At 5 months, they form teeth. The female feeds puppies for 2-3 months, gradually transferring them to the diet usual for jackals.
Jackal striped
The range of this predator is Africa, or rather, its southern and central parts. The striped jackal loves to settle in the areas of the savannah, where there are trees and shrubs. This species has 4 subspecies and is represented on the African continent more than other relatives.
According to the external description, this animal is of medium size:
- 7-14 kg - body weight;
- 70-85 cm - the size of the body;
- 40-50 kg - height at the withers;
- 30-40 cm is the tail.
Females are significantly smaller than males. The animal has strong, powerful, slightly curved fangs of great length. Unlike other species, it has a short, wide muzzle. The coat is dark gray, a light strip is visible on the sides. This feature of color became the reason for the name of the species. The extremities of the predator are predominantly reddish. The color of the tail is black, and its tip is white.
Striped jackals reach puberty at the age of 6 months. These animals are monogamous, couples live together throughout their lives. The average life expectancy of individuals of this species is approximately the same as that of large dogs, 10-12 years. A family group consists of a couple and its offspring. It may include 7-8 individuals.
Striped jackals hunt mainly in the nighttime. Invertebrates during the rainy season and small animals in drought become their food. They do not disdain vegetable food, which in their diet takes up to 30%.
For livestock, these jackals do not pose a serious danger. They also do not eat cadaveric meat, as they prefer freshly caught prey. The striped jackal animal adapts well to any environment, especially unpretentious to food.
Jackal Ethiopian
This type of predator also belongs to the canine family. The Ethiopian jackal has a long, elongated face. The height at the withers is 60 cm. By weight, adults reach weight:
- 13 kg - females;
- 16 kg - males.
Feature in the structure - long legs. In terms of external factors, this animal is a typical representative of the canine genus. The coat is dark red. On the chest, throat and legs, the shade is lighter, but sometimes it can be white. Ears (back) and tail are black.
The animal jackal Ethiopian lives in Africa. Five subspecies are found in the northern part of the Ethiopian rift, and two more common live in the south of the same country.