Dave Taylor's African Safari: Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores - Black-backed Jackal

Trophic Level III: Omnivores and Small Carnivores
Black-backed Jackal
Page 41

Canis mesomelas

Length: 70-100 cm (28-40")

Tail: 30-35 cm (12-14")

Weight: 6.5-13.5 kg (20-30 lb.)

Status: Not endangered; still common across its range

Habitat: In East Africa, this species is found on the acacia savannas. They are a common sight on the plains. Their range frequently overlaps the golden jackal's. Golden jackals are better suited to the open plains but the black-backed jackal does better in the woodland edges. Black-backed jackals are the kind most frequently seen by tourists.

Food: Black-backed jackals are omnivorous and eat invertebrates, small birds, reptiles and small gazelles as well as bulbs, berries and fruits in season. In the Serengeti woodland, their main food is the grass rats which can number 32,083 per square kilometer (83,000 per square mile).

They are frequently found around other predators’ kills and will steal meat from them. They will also scavenge a kill after the larger predators leave it.

In the Serengeti-Mara, these jackals may be the only mammal scavenging a carcass. The population of the prey species greatly outnumbers the large predator/scavengers (i.e. lions and spotted hyenas) and it is impossible for those hunters to kill or scavenge all of the sick, injured or dead animals. Because jackals are so widespread and much more numerous, they are much more likely to find an animal that dies of old age or illness than spotted hyenas or lions are.

Social System: Black-backed jackals are almost always seen in pairs. The bond between mated adults lasts until the death of one of the animals. Together, they defend and hunt over a territory that, in the Serengeti, averages 2.5 square kilometers (6 square miles). Like the golden jackal, the pair will share food. When the female is unable to hunt because she is pup-sitting, the male will bolt down food and then regurgitate it, feeding his mate and the pups.

Three to four (rarely six) pups are born in the dry season after a gestation period of 60 to 65 days. Both sexes will breed between the ages of one and two years old.

Behavior: Pup survival is higher if their parents have older pups from the last whelping to help out with the feeding. In golden jackals, these helper pups do not appear to greatly increase survival rates of their latest brood. Oddly, black-backed jackal pups are less likely than a golden jackal's pups to help raise their younger siblings.

The other factor concerning the difference in survival rates is the season that whelping occurs. The dry season is a harder time to raise pups than the wet season.

Dens are changed every two or three weeks.

When one of the pair dies, other jackals that do not have a territory are quick to take advantage of the situation. They will rush in and kill or chase off the surviving adult and any pups. There are always more jackals than available territories.

Predators: Leopards are fond of dog meat and there is little doubt that many jackals fall victim to this predator. Eagles and snakes prey on pups. Hyenas near the den will be attacked and driven off.

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