Meet the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)! This canid lives in Africa, where it prefers arid and open terrain. Populations of this jackal can be found in eastern and southern regions of the continent, including Kenya, Somalia, Botswana, and South Africa. To take down large prey, like an impala, it works with a pack to single out a target from its herd and take turns tiring it out before taking it down. It also hunts alone or in pairs to pounce on smaller prey such as rodents and lizards. It’s not above scavenging, either. Upon finding a big carcass, it might save bits of meat for a later meal by burying pieces throughout its range.
Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
Meet the black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)! This canid lives in Africa, where it prefers arid and open terrain. Populations of this jackal can be found in eastern and southern regions of the continent, including Kenya, Somalia, Botswana, and South Africa. To take down large prey, like an impala, it works with a pack to single out a target from its herd and take turns tiring it out before taking it down. It also hunts alone or in pairs to pounce on smaller prey such as rodents and lizards. It’s not above scavenging, either. Upon finding a big carcass, it might save bits of meat for a later meal by burying pieces throughout its range.
Photo: Hans Hillewaert, CC BY-NC-ND 2.0, flickr
