Jackal

Jackal
(larger image)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Mammalia Order: Carnivora Family: Canidae Genus: Canis Species: aureus, adustus, mesomelas
Binomial name
Canis aureus, Canis adustus, Canis mesomelas

The jackal is one of a number of small-to-medium-sized members of the Canidae family found in Africa and Asia. Jackals fill a similar ecological niche as does the coyote in North America, that of scavenger and lesser predator.

Jackals may occasionally assemble in small packs, but normally hunt alone.

Species:

• golden jackal (Canis aureus)
• side-striped jackal (Canis adustus)
• black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)
• bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis)

The Ancient Egyptian God of death and dying, Anubis, was depicted as a man with a jackal's head.