Side-striped jackal

The side-striped jackal is a slender, medium-sized canine native to Central and Southern Africa.

This species is a highly adaptable omnivore, meaning it eats both plants and animals. It plays a significant role in its ecosystem by scavenging and hunting small prey. While it is well-distributed across Africa, much of its range remains a mystery to scientists. Large areas exist where we have no information regarding their population status. Understanding this animal helps us learn more about African biodiversity and evolution.

Physically, the side-striped jackal has a distinct appearance that helps it navigate its environment.

Its pelt is primarily a buff-grey color. The back of the animal is a darker grey than its underside. It features a black tail that ends with a grey, almost silver tip. On its flanks, you can see indistinct white stripes running from the elbow to the hip. These markings are more defined on adults than on juveniles. The jackal is generally slightly larger than the black-backed jackal.

The anatomy of the side-striped jackal is specialized for its unique diet.

Its skull is flatter than that of a black-backed jackal. It possesses a rostrum, or snout, that is longer and narrower. Because of this long snout, the third upper premolar tooth sits almost in line with the others. Its dentition, or tooth arrangement, includes long, curved canines with a sharp ridge. Its carnassial teeth, which are used for cutting meat, are smaller than those of more carnivorous jackals. This physical build supports a diet that is not strictly meat-based.

Dietary habits change based on the local environment and the time of year.

During the wet season, these jackals forage largely for invertebrates, such as insects. In the dry months, they shift to eating small mammals like the springhare. They are also opportunistic scavengers that eat from campsites or kills made by larger predators. Fruit is eaten exclusively when it is in season. However, in rural areas, fruit can make up as much as 30% of their total diet. They rarely target prey larger than a newborn antelope.

Taxonomy, the science of naming and classifying organisms, has evolved significantly for this species.

The Swedish zoologist Carl Jakob Sundevall first named the species in 1847. In 1906, German zoologist Max Hilzheimer proposed the genus *Schaeffia*. Recent DNA evidence has changed how we view their family tree. A 2019 workshop recommended placing them in the genus *Lupulella*. This is because DNA shows they form a monophyletic lineage, or a group with a common ancestor, that sits outside the *Canis*, *Cuon*, and *Lycaon* groups. Fossil remains from the Pliocene era support this deep evolutionary history.

Socially, the side-striped jackal displays complex and dedicated behaviors.

They can live alone or in family groups of up to seven individuals. In western Zimbabwe, groups as large as 12 have been observed feeding together. The family unit is led by a breeding pair. These animals are often monogamous, which means they mate for life. In Southern Africa, the breeding season runs from June to November. A female has a gestation period, or pregnancy, of 57 to 70 days. She typically gives birth to a litter of three to six young.

There are seven recognized subspecies of the side-striped jackal across the continent.

These include the Elgon side-striped jackal in East Africa and the Kaffa side-striped jackal in Ethiopia. The Loita side-striped jackal lives in the Rift Valley of Kenya. Other subspecies inhabit North Africa, specifically Morocco and Tunisia. There are also groups in West Africa and Central Africa, such as those near the Uham River in Cameroon. These subspecies show how the species has adapted to many different African landscapes.