Jackals and coyotes are both members of the Canidae family, sharing ancestry with domestic dogs and wolves. These medium-sized canids often cause confusion in different parts of the world due to their similar appearance and opportunistic behaviors. However, they are distinct species with clear differences in physical attributes, habitat, social structures, and geographic distribution.
Key Physical Distinctions
Coyotes generally have a more robust build than most jackal species. An adult coyote typically weighs 20 to 50 pounds (9 to 23 kg) and measures 32 to 37 inches (81 to 94 cm) in body length, with an additional 16 to 20 inches (41 to 51 cm) for their bushy tail. Their fur color ranges from grayish-brown to reddish-brown, often with a black-tipped tail, and they have a slender muzzle with large, pointed ears. Coyotes hold their tail downward when running.
Jackals are smaller and more slender, typically weighing 11 to 26 pounds (5 to 12 kg) and having a body length of 27 to 33 inches (70 to 85 cm) with a tail around 10 inches (25 cm). The golden jackal (Canis aureus) has a coat varying from pale creamy yellow to dark tawny beige and a narrower, more pointed muzzle. The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is identifiable by its black saddle extending from the neck to the tail over a reddish-brown body. The side-striped jackal (Lupulella adusta) has a light gray to tan coat with subtle black and white stripes and a white-tipped tail.
Habitat and Behavior Differences
Coyotes are highly adaptable, thriving across diverse North American environments including mountains, forests, deserts, and urban and suburban areas. They exhibit flexible social structures, often operating as solitary hunters or forming small family units consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring. Coyotes have a varied diet, consuming small mammals, birds, insects, fruits, and vegetables. They are notably vocal, producing a wide array of sounds, which led to their scientific name, Canis latrans, meaning “barking dog.”
Jackals are opportunistic omnivores, with their diet ranging from insects and small animals to fruits and carrion. Golden jackals typically inhabit dry open country, savannas, and steppes, while black-backed jackals prefer savannas and woodlands. Side-striped jackals are found in moister habitats like marshes and bushlands. Most jackal species are crepuscular, active during dawn and dusk, though black-backed jackals can also be active during the day. Jackals generally form monogamous pairs that often hunt together, communicating through howls, growls, and yipping sounds.
Where They Are Found
Coyotes are limited to the Americas, native and widely distributed throughout North and Central America, extending from Panama in the south up through Mexico, the United States, Canada, and Alaska. Their adaptability has allowed them to colonize nearly all available habitats within this extensive range.
Jackals are indigenous to the Old World, with their native range spanning Africa and Eurasia. Specifically, golden jackals are found in North and East Africa, southeastern Europe, and South Asia. Black-backed and side-striped jackals are found exclusively in different regions of Central and Southern Africa. This distinct geographical separation means wild coyotes and jackals do not naturally encounter each other.
Their Scientific Classification
Coyotes are scientifically known as Canis latrans, a name reflecting their characteristic vocalizations. The classification of jackals is more complex, as the term refers to three distinct species. The golden jackal is classified as Canis aureus, placing it within the same genus as wolves and domestic dogs. Recent genetic studies reclassified the black-backed jackal as Lupulella mesomelas and the side-striped jackal as Lupulella adusta, moving them into a separate genus due to their more ancient lineage.