Black-Backed Jackal, Canis mesomelas

Photo credit: affordableafricanhunting.co.za

Sometimes called the silver-backed jackal, this ginger-colored canid has a distinctive black saddle over its shoulders and back, and a bushy black tail. Occurring in a wide variety of habitats, from the suburbs of large cities to the Namibian Desert, male-female pairs feed during the day and at twilight, or at night near human settlements, on a variety of food. This jackal is known as a pest in parts of Africa. Cubs are reared by parents and siblings in dens, which are sometimes built in old termite mounds or abandoned Aardvark holes. This species occurs in Africa, in grassland, desert, and urban areas.

The body length of this canid is 18-35 inches.

Female and male jackals mate for life and hunt together as a team.