Basic Information
Jackals are wild members of the Canidae family, which includes dogs, wolves, foxes, and coyotes!
Jackals - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Jackals For Kids
There are three true jackal species: the golden (or common) jackal, the black-backed jackal, and the side-striped jackal.
Most jackals live alone or in pairs with their pups. Sometimes they’ll get together in small groups — people sometimes call those groups a pack of jackals — but they don’t usually form big packs or clans like wolves do.
Golden jackals live across Southeast Europe, South Asia, and the Middle East — and a little bit in North Africa near the eastern side.
Most jackals in the wild live about 8–10 years, but in zoos or under good care, some jackals can live up to 16 years.
An adult golden jackal typically weighs between 15–33 pounds (7-15 kg), about the same as a medium-sized dog!
Both male and female jackals are just called jackals, and their babies are called pups.
Jackals are omnivores, which means they eat both plants and animals!
The scientific name for the golden jackal is Canis aureus, which means “golden dog” in Latin!
Jackals can run up to 35 miles per hour (56 km/h) in quick bursts, but they usually keep a steady pace of about 10 miles per hour (16 km/h) when running longer distances.
Black-backed jackals get their name from the distinctive black and silver stripe along their backs!
Side-striped jackals have white stripes along their sides and live across sub-Saharan Africa!
Jackals have been featured in stories and myths for thousands of years across many cultures!
The oldest golden jackal fossil is a tooth found in Lebanon, dating back 7,600 years!
Jackals are most active at dawn and dusk, which scientists call being “crepuscular”!
A jackal’s territory can range from 0.7 to 2.5 square miles (2-6.5 square kilometers)!
Golden jackals are tough survivors! They can handle cold temperatures as low as -35°C (-31°F) and heat up to 49°C (120°F), but they usually prefer milder climates.
Jackals are excellent swimmers and can cross rivers to find food or escape danger!
Unlike wolves, jackals usually live in small family groups rather than large packs!
Jackals have been known to live successfully in cities and towns, adapting to human presence!
Physical Characteristics
Jackals have super-sensitive ears! They can hear sounds from over half a mile away, helping them communicate and stay safe in the wild.
Jackals have an extraordinary sense of smell, allowing them to detect scents from miles away.
A jackal’s tail is usually 10 to 14 inches (25 to 35 cm) long and helps them balance while running!
Jackals have special paw pads that help them walk silently when hunting!
Adult jackals have 42 teeth, including special carnassial teeth for cutting through meat!
Jackals have five toes on their front paws and four toes on their hind paws, all equipped with non-retractable claws like dogs.
Golden jackals change their coat color slightly with the seasons, being lighter in summer and darker in winter!
Jackals have a special gland above their tail that produces a unique scent for marking territory!
The side-striped jackal has shorter legs and smaller ears than many of its jackal cousins — this helps it move quietly through thick bushes and woodland where big long ears or long legs might get in the way.
A jackal’s tongue contains special bumps called papillae that help them lap up water efficiently!
Behavior & Intelligence
Jackals mate for life and stay with the same partner for their entire adult lives!
Jackal pairs greet each other by approaching slowly with lowered heads turned slightly sideways, gentle grins, and tail wagging.
Young jackals often stay with their parents to help raise their younger siblings!
Jackals work together to distract larger predators and protect their territory!
A jackal family takes turns watching over their pups while others hunt for food!
Jackals can recognize individual family members by their unique howls!
Parent jackals teach their pups hunting skills through play and demonstration!
Jackals mark their territory using both scent marks and scratches on the ground!
Sometimes two jackals team up to hunt together. When they do, they can catch bigger animals — especially ones that are young or weak — things that a single jackal might not be able to take down alone.
Adult jackals share food with their pups by regurgitating it after a hunt!
Jackals create elaborate underground dens with multiple entrances for safety!
A jackal family can remember and defend the same territory for many years!
Young jackals practice hunting skills by pouncing on insects and small rodents!
Jackal pairs howl together to strengthen their bond and mark their territory!
Habitat & Survival
Jackals can live in many different habitats, from deserts to forests to mountains!
Golden jackals have spread into Europe, reaching as far north as Estonia!
Jackals often use abandoned dens of other animals, saving energy on digging!
Some jackals live in areas up to 5,300 meters (that’s way above where most people live!)
Jackals can live in very dry deserts, like the Namib, where only 2–4 inches of rain may fall each year.
