Jackals are indeed canines and belong to the biological dog family, known scientifically as Canidae. This classification places them alongside a diverse group of animals including domestic dogs, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. Confusion often arises because the term “jackal” is a common name applied to several distinct species across Africa and Eurasia. Understanding their precise location on the family tree requires a look at the scientific hierarchy.
Taxonomic Placement within Canidae
The Family Canidae is a broad group encompassing all modern canids, but jackals are further categorized within a subgroup of “wolf-like” canids. This group includes animals that share a close genetic relationship, such as the gray wolf, coyote, and domestic dog. Members of the genus Canis all possess 78 chromosomes and can potentially interbreed.
The classification of jackals has recently become complex, reflecting advancements in DNA analysis. The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), found across Eurasia, is confirmed to be a true member of the genus Canis, making it a close relative of the coyote and the gray wolf. However, the two African jackal species are often recommended for placement in a separate genus, Lupulella, due to their evolutionary history diverging earlier from the Canis lineage. This proposed reclassification highlights that while all jackals are part of the dog family, they do not form a single, unified group.
The Three Recognized Species of Jackal
The common name “jackal” traditionally refers to three distinct species, each with a unique appearance and geographic range. The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus) has the widest distribution, inhabiting regions from Southeast Asia through the Middle East, into Eastern Europe. Its coat color can vary widely depending on the season and local environment, usually ranging from a pale creamy yellow to a tawny beige.
The other two species, the Black-backed Jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) and the Side-striped Jackal (Lupulella adusta), are found exclusively in Africa. The Black-backed Jackal is readily identifiable by the distinct saddle of black hair, often mixed with silver, running along its back, contrasting sharply with its rust-colored body. This species occupies two separate populations, one in East Africa and another in Southern Africa, preferring open savannas and woodlands.
The Side-striped Jackal is typically a light gray or tan color and is distinguished by an indistinct white stripe running from its elbow to its hip, often flanked by a black stripe. This species generally prefers more moist habitats, such as marshes and bushlands along waterways, which separates its territory from its savanna-dwelling relative.
Distinguishing Physical and Behavioral Traits
Jackals possess physical traits that distinguish them from their larger relatives like wolves. They are moderate-sized canids, generally much smaller and more slender than wolves, typically weighing between 11 and 26 pounds. Their body structure is built for endurance, featuring long legs and large feet with fused bones that enable them to maintain a steady trot over long distances.
They also have a delicate, fox-like appearance, characterized by a narrower and more pointed muzzle, a less prominent forehead, and large, upright ears. This physique is well-suited to their primary ecological role, which is different from that of a large pack hunter. Jackals are highly opportunistic omnivores, and their diet consists of small prey, insects, reptiles, fruits, and significant amounts of carrion.
Unlike the large, complex packs of gray wolves, the social structure of jackals is centered on a monogamous pair that often mates for life. This pair establishes and defends a territory together, using scent markings and vocalizations to ward off intruders. While they may occasionally assemble in small, loose groups to scavenge a large carcass, they usually hunt either alone or as a pair. This strategy is more aligned with the coyote than the gray wolf. The pair’s cooperative hunting is highly effective, as a bonded jackal pair is significantly more likely to achieve a successful kill than a solitary individual.