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Canis mesomelas
The Black-backed Jackal, also known as the Silver-backed or Red Jackal, is a species of jackal which inhabits two areas of the African continent separated by roughly 900 km. It is listed by the IUCN as least concern, due to its widespread range and adaptability, although it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector. The fossil record indicates that the species is the oldest extant member of the genus Canis. Although the most lightly built of jackals, it is the most aggressive, having been observed to singly kill animals many times its own size, and its intra-pack relationships are more quarrelsome.
Eastern Cape, SA
Spotted on Feb 19, 2008
Submitted on Aug 19, 2011
3 Comments
Thanks alice!
They are very cute but cause a lot of problems with the game as they stalk the pregnant antelopes & will pull the calves from their mother while they are still giving birth, often killing the mother too.
Nice!
Another photo added.