Black-backed Jackal

Afrikaans name: Rooijakkals

Black-backed Jackal in Weenen Game Reserve

Photo © Steven Herbert

Canis mesomelas

Interesting facts about Black-backed Jackals

The Black-backed Jackal is found in two large areas of Africa but these areas are not linked. It is found in southern and eastern Africa.

These carnivores will either kill or scavenge for their food. They can be quite aggressive and persistent. They will tackle the calves of various antelope but will also eat things like insects. They often run into trouble with farmers who accuse them of tackling their livestock.

Black-backed Jackals are normally seen singly but sometimes may be found in pairs.

They prefer open grassland areas such as savanna or open woodland.

Pairs establish territories and they both mark and defend it. The female Black-backed Jackal gives birth to 1 to 6 pups with the normal amount being 3.

References and further reading

Wild Ways - 2nd Edition - Author: Peter Apps - Published: 2000 - Page: 84

Wildlife of Southern Africa - Author: Martin Withers and David Hosking - Published: 2011 - Page: 202

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 22

Wild Issue 32 - Author: - Published: 2015 - Page: 28

Wild About Johannesburg - Author: Duncan Butchart - Published: 1995 - Page: 23

Tracks and Tracking in Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2000 - Page: 72

The Smaller Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. De V. Pienaar et al - Published: 1980 - Page: 84

The Rough Guide to Game Parks of South Africa - Author: P. Briggs - Published: 2020 - Page: 320

The Natal Bushveld - Volume 2 - Author: Natal Parks Board - Published: 1981 - Page: 63

The Mammal Guide of Southern Africa - 2nd Edition - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 2011 - Page: 134

Southern African Wildlife - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1989 - Page: 67

Southern Africa from the Highway - Author: AA RSA - Published: 1991 - Page: 320

South African Animals in the Wild - Author: Anthony Bannister - Published: 1985 - Page: 92

Signs of the Wild - 3rd Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1986 - Page: 57

Signs of the Wild - 5th Edition - Author: Clive Walker - Published: 1996 - Page: 52

Predators of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Grobler, Hall-Martin & Walker - Published: 2012 - Page: 20

Questions and Answers - Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Deirdre Richards - Published: 1990 - Page: 5

Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Burger Cillie - Published: 1987 - Page: 19

Mammals of the Kruger and other National Parks - Author: The National Parks Board - Published: 1980 - Page: 40

Maberlys Mammals of Southern Africa - Revised edition - Author: Richard Goss - Published: 1986 - Page: 119

Land Mammals of Southern Africa - A field guide - Author: Reay HN Smithers - Published: 1986 - Page: 106

Kruger National Park, Visitors Map 1996 - Author: - Published: 1996 - Page: 5

Illustrated Guide to the Game Parks and Nature Reserves of SA - 2nd edn - Author: Readers Digest - Published: 1991 - Page: 417

Kruger National Park Questions and Answers - Author: P.F. Fourie - Published: 1987 - Page: 290

Game Ranger in your Backpack - Author: Megan Emmett and Sean Pattrick - Published: 2013 - Page: 108

Guide to the Kalahari Gemsbok National Park - Author: Gus Mills and Clem Haagner - Published: 1996 - Page: 51

First Field Guide to Animal Tracks of Southern Africa - Author: Louis Liebenberg - Published: 2003 - Page: 30

Field Guide to the Mammals of the Kruger National Park - Author: U. de V. Pienaar et al. - Published: 1987 - Page: 71

Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 3rd Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2001 - Page: 124

Field Guide to the Larger Mammals of Africa - 1st Edition - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1997 - Page: 232

Field Guide to the Cradle of Humankind - Author: B. Hilton-Barber & Prof. L. R. Berger - Published: 2004 - Page: 152

Field Guide to Fynbos Fauna - Author: Cliff & Suretha Dorse - Published: 2023 - Page: 244

Chris and Tilde Stuarts Field Guide to the Mammals of Southern Africa - 1st Edit - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 1988 - Page: 124

Animals of the Kruger National Park - Author: G. de Graaff - Published: 1987 - Page: 29

An Introduction to the Larger Mammals of Southern Africa - Author: Joanna Dalton - Published: 1987 - Page: 44

African Wildlife - Vol 40 No 3 - Author: - Published: 1986 - Page: 85

African Wildlife - A photographic safari - Author: Nigel and Wendy Dennis - Published: 1999 - Page: 71

A Field Guide to the Mammals of Africa including Madagascar - Author: Theodor Haltenorth and Helmut Diller - Published: 1980 - Page: 175

A Field Guide to the Tracks & Signs of Southern and East African Wildlife - 3rd - Author: Chris and Tilde Stuart - Published: 2000 - Page: 41

A Field Guide to the Eastern Cape Coast - Author: R. Lubke, F. Gess & M. Bruton - Published: 1988 - Page: 307

SANBI

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List of South African Mammals