Side-striped jackal

Scientific name: Canis adustus

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Slender build with shorter legs relative to body. Greyish-brown coat with a distinctive dark stripe along each flank; whitish underside and black tail-tip. Males slightly larger than females.

Size and weight

Males 7–8 kg, females 6–7 kg; body length 67–81 cm.

Habitat

Open savanna and scrubland at low to medium elevation, typically near watercourses and seasonally wet areas. Prefers a mix of dense patches and grassland.

Distribution

Sub-Saharan Africa from Senegal to South Africa. Avoids arid desert and dense rainforest; dominates moist savanna habitats.

Diet

Small rodents, insects and larvae (particularly termites), plus seasonal fruit and berries. Small ungulates and shrews occasionally taken.

Behaviour

Primarily nocturnal, sometimes active at dusk. Pair-bonded; maintains territory year-round. Actively patrols territorial boundaries in evening hours.

Hunting tips

Look for small round tracks (roughly half lion-pad size) in mud or sand near water and game trails. Scat often contains insect fragments. Stalk during dawn or dusk when animals are most active; use wind to your advantage and move through shadows. Small packs are difficult to approach—silence and patience are essential.

Whole weight

This species is logged by whole weight — the animal weighed entire, as taken.

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 3 countries in Huntify.

Names in other languages

These field notes are general species knowledge, not legal advice. Always check the current seasons, quotas and firearm rules where you hunt.