This MedLibrary.org supplementary page on Black-backed Jackal is provided directly from the open source Wikipedia as a service to our readers. Please see the note below on authorship of this content, as well as the Wikipedia usage guidelines. To search for other content from our encyclopedia supplement, please use the form below:
Related Sponsors
| Black-backed Jackal1 Fossil range: Pliocene2 - Recent |
||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 |
||||||||||||||
| Conservation status | ||||||||||||||
| Scientific classification | ||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||
| Binomial name | ||||||||||||||
| Canis mesomelas Schreber, 1775 |
||||||||||||||
 Black-backed Jackal range
|
The Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas), also known as the Silver-backed Jackal is a species of jackal which inhabits two areas of the African continent separated by roughly 900 kilometers. One region includes the southern-most tip of the continent including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe. The other area is along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia.4
The fossil record indicates that the Black-backed Jackal is the oldest living member of the genus Canis.2
Contents |
Description
As its name suggests, the species' most distinguishing feature is the silver-black fur running from the back of the neck to the base of the tail. The chest and under parts are white to rusty-white, whereas the rest of the body ranges from reddish brown to ginger. Females tend not to be as richly colored as males, like many other animals, such as ducks. The winter coat of adult males develops a reddish to an almost deep russet red color.4
The Black-backed Jackal is typically 14-19 inches (32–42 centimeters) high at the shoulder, 45-90 centimeters (18-36 inches) long and 15–30 pounds (7–13.5 kilograms) in weight.5 Specimens in the southern part of the continent tend to be larger than their more northern cousins.4
The Black-backed Jackal is noticeably more slender than other species of jackals, with large, erect, pointed ears. The dental formula is 3/3-1/1-4/4-2/3=42.4
The Black-backed Jackal's skull is similair to that of the Side-striped Jackal, but is less flat, and has a shorter, broader rostrum. Its sagittal crest and zygomatic arches are also heavier in build. Its carnassials are larger than those of the more omnivorous Side-striped Jackal.6
Scent glands are present on the face and the anus and genital regions. The Black-backed Jackal has 6-8 mammae.5
Behaviour
The Black-backed Jackal usually lives together in pairs that last for life, but often hunts in packs to catch larger prey such as the Impala and antelopes. It is very territorial; each pair dominates a permanent territory. It is mainly nocturnal, but sometimes comes out in the day. Its predators include the Leopard and humans. Jackals are sometimes killed for their furs, or because they are considered predators of livestock.
Diet and Hunting
The Black-backed Jackal is a versatile feeder, and will alter its diet according to availability or interspecific competition. It typically feeds on small to medium sized mammals (such as murids, the Springhare and young ungulates), reptiles and birds. It will also scavenge on carrion and human refuse. Other food items include invertebrates, plants, fish, seals and beached marine mammals.4
The Black-backed Jackal is a social feeder, and can sometimes be seen feeding on large carcasses in groups ranging from 8-10 individuals. 80 jackals have been recorded to congregate at seal colonies on the Namib Coast, though this is sometimes accompanied by intraspecific agression. The The Black-backed Jackal may occasionally form packs in order to bring down large prey like the Impala and some antelope species.4
The The Black-backed Jackal may pose a danger toward livestock, especially lambs and kids.4
Reproduction
The Black-backed Jackal has a 2-month gestation period. Each litter consists of 3–6 pups, each of which weighs 200–250 grams. At 8 months,the pups are old enough to leave their parents and establish territories of their own. Often, a young jackal returns to help the parents raise another litter. In these cases, the next litter is much more likely to survive. Like several jackal species, the Black-backed Jackal is typically monogamous.
Habitat
The Black-backed Jackal occurs in a wide variety of African habitats, such as open woodlands, scrubland, savanna, and bush. They can easily adapt to different habitats. They are quite common throughout their range, and have a low risk of endangerment.
Subspecies
There are two recognized subspecies of this canid:1
- Canis mesomelas mesomelas
- Canis mesomelas schmidti
References
- ^ a b Wozencraft, W. C. (16 November 2005). in Wilson, D. E., and Reeder, D. M. (eds): Mammal Species of the World, 3rd edition, Johns Hopkins University Press. ISBN 0-801-88221-4.
- ^ a b Macdonald, David (1992). The Velvet Claw, 256. 0563208449.
- ^ Loveridge & Nel (2004). Canis mesomelas. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Database entry includes justification for why this species is of least concern
- ^ a b c d e f g "Black-backed jackal". Canids.org. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.
- ^ a b "Black-backed jackal". Lioncrusher's Domain. Retrieved on 2007-09-13.
- ^ "Side-Striped Jackal". Canids.org. Retrieved on 2008-11-13.
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Wikipedia content modification information:
- This page was last modified on 17 November 2008, at 04:22.
Wikipedia Authorship and Review
Wikipedia content provided here is not reviewed directly by MedLibrary.org. Wikipedia content is authored by an open community of volunteers and is not produced by or in any way affiliated with MedLibrary.org.
Wikipedia Usage Guidelines
This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article on "Black-backed Jackal".
The URL for this specific entry is:
All Wikipedia text is available under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License. (See Copyrights for details). Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.