(Silver-backed Jackal)
swahili Name ~ Bweha nyukundu or Bweha shaba
Scientific classification of Jackal
Kingdom ~ Animalia
Phylum ~ Chordata
Class ~ Mammalia
Order ~ Carnivora
Family ~ Canidae
Subfamily ~ Caninae
Tribe ~ Canini
Subtribe ~ Canina
Genus ~ Lupulella
Species ~ L. mesomelas
Weight: 14-30lb (6-13.5kg)
Height: 1ft 4in-1ft 6in (40-45cm)
Length: 2ft 4in-2ft 8in (70-80cm),
plus tail: 11-14in (28-35cm)
Gestation: 2 months
Young: Usually 3-4 (may be up to 6)
The Lifespan is 8-10 years
This is the commonest of the three jackal species found in East Africa. Fox-like in appearance, the black-backed jackal has larger ears, a black (not white) tip to its tail and shorter legs than the side- striped jackal male . The sexes are similar, but males are a little larger.
Voice
A distinctive, high-pitched, yelping bark, particularly when in the presence of the larger cats such as leopards, or if otherwise alarmed or excited. A similar call is used as a form of territorial marking, and a pair of jackals and their offspring frequently create a howling chorus, which helps rally and bond the family
Habitat
Savanna, open plains, light woodland
and semi-desert.
Habits
Black-backed jackals are mainly nocturnal, though they are often seen during the daytime, particularly in the early morning. Usually in pairs or family parties, but sometimes solitary. Adult black-backed jackals pair for life, and both partners help to defend their territory, marking it with urine, faeces and their presence. They are highly intelligent and well known for their wariness and cunning.
Reproduction
The pups are born during the dry season in an old termite mound or a crevice amongst rocks, and the female frequently moves her pups to a new den site. Both parents help to raise the young, and the pups first appear above ground at two weeks old. Initially the adult male does much of the foraging, regurgitating food for the female and the pups. The previous litter of pups sometimes remain with their parents to help provision their younger relatives, and their help may be crucial to tie number of puppies that survive, freeing both parents to hunt for food while the den is guarded. By three months they have acquired their adult coat coloration and are no longer so dependent on a den. At six months they are ableto hunt for themselves, though they still gain much of their food from their parents and older siblings. By eight months they are tully grown and nmay leave to try and establish themselves in their Own territory.
Food
Black-backed jackals are opportunistic omnivores, scavenging from kills made by larger predators, as well as killing small prey for themselves. They hunt newborn gazelles and in impalas, rodents and ground birds, as well as taking eggs, reptiles, insects, fruit and berries. Jackals can be a pest, stealing Small livestock, domestic poultry and anything else small and edible.
Predation
Leopards frequently kill jackals, and pups are taken by large eagles and pythons.
Black-backed jackal pups at their den site in an old termite mound.
Social and territorial behaviours
The black-backed jackal is a monogamous and territorial animal, whose social organisation greatly resembles that of the golden jackal. However, the assistance of elder offspring in helping raise the pups of their parents has a greater bearing on pup survival rates than in the latter species. The basic social unit is a monogamous mated pair which defends its territory through laying faeces and urine on range boundaries. Scent marking is usually done in tandem, and the pair aggressively expels intruders. Such encounters are normally prevented, as the pair vocalises to advertise its presence in a given area. It is a highly vocal species, particularly in Southern Africa. Sounds made by the species include yelling, yelping, woofing, whining, growling, and cackling. It communicates with group members and advertises its presence by a high-pitched, whining howl, and expresses alarm through an explosive cry followed by shorter, high-pitched yelps. This sound is particularly frantic when mobbing a leopard. In areas where the black-backed jackal is sympatric with the African golden wolf, the species does not howl, instead relying more on yelps. In contrast, black-backed jackals in Southern Africa how much like golden jackals. When trapped, it cackles like a fox
The reproductive scenario
The mating season takes place from late May to August, with a gestation period of 60 days. Pups are born from July to October. Summer births are thought to be timed to coincide with population peaks of vlei rats and four-striped grass mice, while winter births are timed for ungulate calving seasons. Litters consist of one to 9 pups, which are born blind. For the first three weeks of their lives, the pups are kept under constant surveillance by their dam, while the sire and elder offspring provide food. The pups open their eyes after 8–10 days and emerge from the den at the age of 3 weeks. They are weaned at 8–9 weeks, and can hunt by themselves at the age of 6 months. Sexual maturity is attained at 11 months, though few black-backed jackals reproduce in their first year. Unlike golden jackals, which have comparatively amicable intrapack relationships, black-backed jackal pups become increasingly quarrelsome as they age, and establish more rigid dominance hierarchies. Dominant pups appropriate food, and become independent at an earlier age. The grown pups may disperse at one year of age, though some remain in their natal territories to assist their parents in raising the next generation of pups. The average lifespan in the wild is 7 years, though captive specimens can live twice as lon
The Diseases and parasite.
Black-backed jackals can carry diseases such as rabies, canine parvovirus, canine distemper, canine adenovirus, Ehrlichia canis, and African horse sickness. Jackals in Etosha National Park may carry anthrax. Black-backed jackals are major rabies vectors, and have been associated with epidemics, which appear to cycle every 4–8 years. Jackals in Zimbabwe are able to maintain rabies independently of other species. Although oral vaccinations are effective in jackals, the long-term control of rabies continues to be a problem in areas where stray dogs are not given the same immunisation.
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