The golden jackal, Canis aureus, is a medium-sized canid ranging from Southeast Europe across to South Asia. This species is highly adaptable, thriving in environments from wetlands to agricultural landscapes. The jackal is an omnivorous generalist, meaning its diet is heavily influenced by what is most readily available. This flexibility in food choice is a primary reason for the jackal’s successful expansion across diverse geographical areas.
Primary Prey and Hunting Focus
Active hunting focuses on small to medium-sized vertebrates, often accounting for over half of the jackal’s food intake by biomass. Rodents, including mice, voles, and rats, form a significant portion of this prey base across its range. The jackal uses its sharp senses to locate these small mammals, even those moving beneath vegetation or snow.
Beyond rodents, the jackal hunts ground-nesting birds and consumes their eggs during the breeding season. Prey also includes amphibians, reptiles, lagomorphs like the European brown hare, and opportunistically captured fish in wetland habitats. Invertebrates, such as large insects, are also commonly consumed. While primarily targeting small animals, jackals may occasionally take vulnerable domestic stock or seize newborn gazelle fawns during calving seasons.
Opportunistic Feeding and Plant Matter
The jackal relies heavily on food sources acquired without active hunting. Scavenging is a major strategy, involving carrion left by larger predators (such as lions) or carcasses of large herbivores. This behavior often peaks in winter when small prey is scarce, and includes scavenging domestic animal carcasses.
Human activity also provides a significant food source. Jackals frequently scavenge refuse, including discarded food waste near settlements and garbage dumps. Plant matter is a large and consistent part of their diet, complementing their need for animal protein. Consumption includes tubers, berries, and seasonal fruits, which are important during summer and autumn. Jackals near agricultural areas also feed on crops, such as corn, grapes, sugarcane, rice, and wheat.
Foraging Tactics and Environmental Influence
Golden jackals employ flexible foraging tactics. They often hunt alone or in pairs when seeking small prey like rodents. When pursuing larger targets, such as roe deer or vulnerable young ungulates, they may engage in cooperative hunting. Their style for small prey involves a characteristic pounce, executed after using their excellent hearing to pinpoint the animal’s location.
Environmental factors strongly influence the jackal’s feeding schedule and location. While they can be active during the day in areas with low human disturbance, they frequently shift to nocturnal foraging near human settlements to reduce the risk of human encounters. In hot climates, activity peaks during the cooler hours of the early morning and late afternoon to conserve energy. The season also dictates their focus: plant consumption increases when fruits are ripe, and small mammals are primary targets during drier seasons.