Jackal

Jackals are members of the canid family found in Africa and Eurasia. While the term has been used for many different canines, it now mostly refers to three specific species. These include the black-backed jackal and the side-striped jackal of Central and Southern Africa. The third is the golden jackal, which lives in parts of Europe and Asia.

These animals are important because they are opportunistic omnivores. This means they eat a wide variety of foods. They function as both predators of small animals and skilled scavengers of carcasses.

Physically, jackals are built for endurance and hunting. They possess long legs and large feet that support their bodies. Their leg bones are even fused to help them run long distances. This allows them to maintain high speeds for extended periods of time. They also have curved canine teeth. These teeth are specifically adapted for catching small mammals, birds, and reptiles.

Because they are crepuscular, they are most active during the dim light of dawn and dusk.

Socially, jackals usually live in monogamous pairs. This means a male and a female stay together to form a single unit. They work to defend a specific territory from other intruders. They mark their boundaries using urine and feces to warn others away. A territory might be large enough to support some young adults. These young animals typically stay with their parents until they can establish their own homes.

While they usually hunt alone or in pairs, they may form small packs to scavenge a large carcass.

Scientists have debated how to classify jackals for many years. In 1815, Lorenz Oken suggested they belonged in a separate genus called *Thos*. He named this after a Greek word for jackal. However, his idea did not change science immediately. In 1932, Angel Cabrera studied the molars of jackals. He noticed a feature called a cingulum on their teeth. Because this feature was missing in other *Canis* species, he considered a new subdivision. Ultimately, Cabrera chose to keep them in the *Canis* genus.

Later, in 1914, Edmund Heller revived the idea of a separate genus. While the genus name changed from *Thos* to *Canis*, Heller's specific names for species still exist today.

There are three main species to distinguish. The black-backed jackal (*Lupulella mesomelas*) is the most aggressive. It is known to attack prey much heavier than itself. It also has more quarrelsome relationships within its own group. The side-striped jackal (*Lupulella adustus*) lives mostly in wooded areas. It is the least aggressive species and rarely hunts large mammals.

Finally, the golden jackal (*Canis aureus*) is the largest and most widespread. It is more closely related to wolves than to the African species.

Genetically, these animals are closely related to many other large carnivores. They all possess 78 chromosomes. This makes them karyologically indistinguishable from the dhole and the African hunting dog. The group of wolf-like canids includes the gray wolf, the coyote, and the Ethiopian wolf.

Recent studies show that the two African jackals are the most basal members of this group. This suggests the entire group may have originated in Africa. Evidence shows that *Canis arnensis* arrived in Mediterranean Europe 1.9 million years ago. This species is likely the ancestor of modern jackals.

Jackals also hold a significant place in human culture and history. They are mentioned roughly 14 times in the Bible, where they are sometimes called "wild dogs." In many legends, they are portrayed as clever sorcerers. In the Indian *Panchatantra* stories, they are seen as wise and wily.

There is also a connection to ancient Egypt. Some believe the god Anubis was modeled after a golden jackal. However, the African species once thought to be a jackal is now classified as the African wolf. This shows how new science can change our understanding of ancient symbols.