The African savanna is a dynamic environment where the jackal thrives due to its adaptability. Primarily represented by the black-backed and side-striped species, jackals are common across the continent’s open grasslands and woodlands. They are classified as opportunistic omnivores, meaning their flexible diet is dictated by what is most available. This strategy involves balancing the hunting of smaller prey with scavenging the leftovers from larger predators.
Primary Food Sources: Meat, Rodents, and Carrion
Meat is the most energy-rich component of the jackal’s diet, acquired through both hunting and scavenging. Small to medium-sized mammals form a significant part of their hunted prey, including scrub hares and various small rodents. They capture these animals using a quick dash and pouncing action.
Jackals also target young or vulnerable antelope, such as the fawns of species like steenbok and duiker. Hunting in pairs or small family units allows them to occasionally take down slightly larger, weakened animals, including sub-adult impala. This active predation supplies a steady source of protein and fat, especially when larger carcasses are scarce.
Carrion, the remains of animals killed by other predators, is a foundational element of their survival strategy. Jackals are frequently seen waiting patiently at the edges of lion or cheetah kills. They consume the leftovers of large herbivores, such as wildebeest or buffalo, which provides a massive, though unpredictable, food source. Carrion often constitutes a major percentage of their overall intake.
The Omnivore’s Menu: Insects, Eggs, and Vegetation
When primary meat sources are less abundant, jackals rely on invertebrates, especially insects. Consumption often peaks during the wet season, as jackals actively forage for grasshoppers, beetles, and termites. Insects are sometimes the most common food item found in their scat.
Their diet also includes plant matter, which provides moisture and necessary micronutrients. This includes fruits, berries, seeds, and grasses. The side-striped jackal is known to be highly frugivorous, sometimes relying exclusively on fruit during peak fruiting seasons.
Opportunistic consumption of eggs and reptiles further demonstrates their adaptability. They will raid the ground nests of birds, consuming both the eggs and the occasional chick. This varied intake ensures they maintain a balanced nutritional profile when large prey is scarce or difficult to defend from competing predators.
Feeding Behavior: Hunting and Scavenging Tactics
The jackal’s feeding behavior seamlessly blends the roles of predator and scavenger. When hunting small, solitary prey like rodents, they use their keen sense of hearing to locate the animal before executing a precise pounce. For larger prey, black-backed jackals sometimes engage in cooperative hunting, working together to harass and exhaust the animal.
Their most effective tactic is closely monitoring the movements of apex predators, such as lions, leopards, and hyenas. By following these larger hunters from a safe distance, jackals are often the first to arrive at a fresh carcass after the initial feeding has subsided. This strategy minimizes the energy and risk involved in making a kill themselves, maximizing their caloric gain.
This foraging strategy adapts to seasonal changes in resource availability. In the dry season, jackals often focus on scavenging large carcasses. During the wet season, the abundance of invertebrates and young antelopes shifts their focus toward active hunting and insect consumption.