Black-backed jackal

Scientific name: Canis mesomelas

How weight is recorded: Whole weight

Field notes

Appearance

Slender build with a distinctive dark stripe running along the spine; coat varies from tan to rufous with black markings; ears relatively large and pointed; males slightly larger than females.

Size and weight

Adult weight 6–8 kg; body length 70–85 cm; males average 7.5 kg, females 6.5 kg.

Habitat

Black-backed jackals favour open and semi-open terrain including grasslands, savannas, and scrubland, typically from sea level to 2,000 m elevation.

Distribution

Eastern and southern Africa from Sudan through East Africa to southern Africa; prefers open and edge habitats over dense forest.

Diet

Omnivorous: small mammals (rodents, hyraxes), insects, bird eggs, carrion, and seasonal fruits; composition shifts with prey availability.

Behaviour

Primarily crepuscular and nocturnal; pairs or small family groups; highly vocal with characteristic yipping calls; trot-hunting in pursuit of prey.

Hunting tips

Track sign in soft substrate—distinctive prints show four toes with claw marks; fresh droppings often contain hair and bone fragments. Approach from downwind using cover and terrain folds; stalk during twilight hours when animals move between rest and feed areas. Listen for vocalizations to pinpoint location.

Whole weight

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

Where it is hunted

Listed as huntable in 4 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.