About the Jackal
Jackals are small-to-medium opportunistic omnivores belonging to the canine family, highly regarded for their slender builds, long legs, and exceptional adaptability. They bear a striking resemblance to a blend of a fox and a German shepherd. While not a single formal taxonomic rank, the term most commonly applies to three distinct species: the Black-backed and Side-striped jackals of Africa, and the Golden jackal found across Eurasia and Northeastern Africa.
Renowned for their supreme cleverness, jackals are highly resourceful. Their diet encompasses nearly anything available, ranging from small vertebrates, insects, and fruits to carrion. Because they can travel long distances with ease and endure dry climates, they thrive in a wide variety of environments, from arid savannas to bushy grasslands. They are also famous for their role as opportunistic scavengers, often trailing large predators like lions to feed on the remnants of a carcass once the big cats have finished eating.
Socially, jackals are famously monogamous, generally mating for life and establishing fiercely defended territories. Raising pups is a family affair, as older offspring from previous litters will often stay behind to help their parents protect and feed the new cubs. They are also highly vocal animals, especially active at dawn and dusk, communicating with a wide array of yips, howls, and cries that can echo for miles.
Description of the Jackal
- Weight: 13 to 31 pounds
- Body Length: 24 to 33 inches
- Tail Length: 10 to 16 inches
- Shoulder Height: 14 to 20 inches
Jackal Species / Subspecies
- Persian Jackal: Nominate subspecies found in the Middle East and Southwest Asia.
- European Jackal: Found in the Balkans, the Caucasus, and Asia Minor.
- Indian Jackal: Native to the Indian subcontinent.
- Indochinese Jackal: Found in Southeast Asia.
- Sri Lankan Jackal: Found in India (south of the Godavari River) and Sri Lanka.
- Syrian Jackal : Found in the Levant region and Palestine.
- Southern Black-Backed Jackal: Found across southern Africa.
- East African Black-Backed Jackal: Native to East Africa and the Horn of Africa.
- Sundevall’s Side-Striped Jackal
- Elgon Side-Striped Jackal
- Central African Side-Striped Jackal
- North African Side-Striped Jackal
- Kaffa Side-Striped Jackal
- East African Side-Striped Jackal
- Loita Side-Striped Jackal
Suitable Weapons
The majority of jackals killed are harvested as an animal of opportunity when hunting other species, therefore the gun you have in hand is the one that’s used.
If specifically hunting for a jackal, use calibers from 22 centerfires through 6mm.
Hunting Area
The black-backed and the side-striped jackals are hunted in: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, and Ethiopia,
The golden jackal is hunted in southeastern Europe.
