Jackal
The three jackal species found in East Africa differ mainly in color and choice of habitat.
The sandy-colored golden jackal prefers open, grassy plains, while the side-striped jackal lives along waterways with dense undergrowth.
This jackal is drabber in color, has a white tip on the tail and indistinct stripes along the sides of the body.
The black-backed jackal is recognized by the mantle of black hair on the back that contrasts with the rust-colored body.
The tail is black-tipped, as is that of the golden jackal.
The black-blacked jackal is usually the most frequently seen as it is more diurnal than the other two species.
The common jackal lives in open savannas, deserts and arid grasslands.
Side-striped jackals are found in moist savannas, marshes, bushlands and mountains.
The sliver-backed jackal lives primarily in savannas and woodlands.
Jackals live singly or in pairs, but are sometimes found in loose packs of related individuals.
They are among the few mammalian species in which the male and female mate for life.
Mated pairs are territorial, and both the female and male mark and defend the boundaries of their territory.
Sometimes pups will stay with their parents and help raise their younger siblings.
Most pup deaths occur during the first 14 weeks of life, so the presence of helpers increases the survival rate.
Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a siren-like howl when a kill is located.
The sandy-colored golden jackal prefers open, grassy plains, while the side-striped jackal lives along waterways with dense undergrowth.
This jackal is drabber in color, has a white tip on the tail and indistinct stripes along the sides of the body.
The black-backed jackal is recognized by the mantle of black hair on the back that contrasts with the rust-colored body.
The tail is black-tipped, as is that of the golden jackal.
The black-blacked jackal is usually the most frequently seen as it is more diurnal than the other two species.
The common jackal lives in open savannas, deserts and arid grasslands.
Side-striped jackals are found in moist savannas, marshes, bushlands and mountains.
The sliver-backed jackal lives primarily in savannas and woodlands.
Jackals live singly or in pairs, but are sometimes found in loose packs of related individuals.
They are among the few mammalian species in which the male and female mate for life.
Mated pairs are territorial, and both the female and male mark and defend the boundaries of their territory.
Sometimes pups will stay with their parents and help raise their younger siblings.
Most pup deaths occur during the first 14 weeks of life, so the presence of helpers increases the survival rate.
Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a siren-like howl when a kill is located.
