Jackal FactsJackal ProfileJackals are lightly built ‘dog-like’ carnivores that are native to both Africa and Eurasia.Mesopredators occupy a critical mid-way point between the charismatic apex predators and the world of small invertebrates and detritivores in the trophic web. Many have adopted similar characteristics despite being unrelated to one another, carved out by the demands of their environment to maintain both upward and downward selective pressure on the members of their community. Jackals are a great example of this. Once thought to be a subset of the genus Canis, it’s now clear that the similarities between the two genera of jackal have emerged independently, and this mid-range niche has created two very significant and very similar dog-like solutions. Jackal Facts OverviewHabitat:Mostly savannas and woodlands but also marshes, deserts, grasslandsLocation:Central and Southern Africa, Southeastern Europe, Middle East, South AsiaLifespan:Around 9 years in the wild, 16 in captivitySize:85 cm (34 inches) long, 40cm (16 inches) tallWeight:Up to 14 kg (31 lb)Colour:Usually grey/brownDiet:Smaller animals, mammals, insects, amphibians, lizards, newborn gazellesPredators:Leopards, hyenas, eaglesTop Speed:16 km/h (10 mph)No. of Species:3Conservation Status:All of Least Concern (IUCN)There are three species of jackal accepted and one dubious entry. Of the original three, two have been recently reclassified as their own genus, scrambling their taxonomy and creating a grouping that reflects an ecological niche more than an evolutionary line. All jackals are medium-sized canids, capable of bringing down animals even larger than themselves, but also making do with whatever’s available. These adaptable little predators are crafty, elusive and smart, something which has given them a bold reputation across multiple continents. Interesting Jackal Facts1. Some of these things are not like the othersJackals are named more because of their position in the ecosystem, rather than as a result of a shared taxonomy. This means the two genera of jackal are not very closely related at all, sharing a taxonomic rank only at the family level.The two Lupulella species are the black-backed and side-striped jackal, and if we were being very pedantic, these might be considered the only true jackals, but there are other animals commonly referred to as jackals too. The Golden Jackal is a similar animal, but a member of the wolf genus Canis, so quite distinct from the other two. There’s also an infrequent misnaming of the Ethiopian “wolf”, also a member of the Canis genus, sometimes known as the red jackal or Simien jackal.Since this one already has plenty of common names and is the species most seldom referred to as a jackal, we’re not including it here. 2. They were only recently separatedTo make matters even more complicated, the two true jackal species were grouped in the Canis genus until 2017, and these two are the only monophyletic part of the jackal grouping. Still, the three medium canids share a bunch of similar features that make their grouping relevant. 3. The black-backed jackal is the smallest, Jackals are crepuscular, most active at dawn and dusk. Their most common social unit is a monogamous pair, which defends its territory from other pairs by vigorously chasing intruders and marking landmarks around the territory with their urine and feces., Jackals are lightly built ‘dog-like’ carnivores that are native to both Africa and Eurasia. Mesopredators occupy a critical mid-way point between the charismatic apex predators and the world of small invertebrates and detritivores in the trophic web..