Jackal

Jackal, common name of certain wild dogs that inhabit plains, deserts, and prairies. The golden jackal is common from northern Africa to southeastern Europe and India. The black-backed jackal ranges from Senegal to Somalia, south to Namibia and eastern South Africa. The side-striped jackal ranges from Sudan to South Africa. The Simien jackal is found in central Ethiopia. Its size, narrow head, and pointed muzzle are foxlike, but its other physical characteristics are similar to those of wolves. The coat is typically grizzled tawny-buff in color; the tip of the bushy tail is dark. The jackal feeds on rodents, eggs, fish, frogs, insects, leaves, small antelope, carrion, small poultry, and occasionally fruit; it hunts in small groups, pairs, or alone, uttering its cry, called the pheal. The jackal is nocturnal in areas inhabited by humans, but may be active during the day in areas where it is not molested. The jackal's life span is 10 to 16 years in captivity. Jackals interbreed with domestic dogs.

Scientific classification: Jackals belong to the family Canidae. The golden jackal is classified as Canis aureus, the black-backed jackal as Canis mesomelas, the side-striped jackal as Canis adustus, and the Simien jackal as Canis simensis.