Black-Backed Jackal - Canis mesomelas
Black-backed Jackals are very
caring family members, mating for life and jointly raising young.
Food is brought back to the den by both the male and the female
and regurgitated for the young. An offspring, once mature, may stay
with its parents to help them raise the next litter. its presence
as guard while the older jackals hunt, greatly enhances the survival
rate of the pups. Predators are driven away from the den by nipping
at their haunches.
Pairs are very closely bonded and will
share in all activities - defending and urine-marking their territory,
hunting and eating. Even the smallest of scraps are shared equally.
They will call and answer each other when separated and spend a
lot of time grooming their mates.
Bushem regard jackals as cowardly and
believe that to eat the heart of a jackal will turn a man into a
coward. This reputation is unwarrented as the sight of a jackal
manoeuvering its way into a lion kill, where hyaenas and vultures
fear to approach, will certify. In Savuti, a black-backed jackal
has been recorded to have taken a newly born lion cub while the
mother was recovering from giving birth. They are opportunists and
will follow lions and hyaena around, knowing that they have to make
a kill some time.
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