The
black-backed jackal is doglike in appearance with a distinct black saddle
on its back. They are small (6-10 kg) and can occur singly in pairs or in family groups.
Black-backed jackal form long term mating pairs who together defend a territory. They are very cunning and often resort to killing farmer's livestock. This practice has given the jackal a bad reputation and it is often shot on sight as vermin.
In the wild black-backed jackals feed on small antelope, rodents, birds and even wild fruit. Jackals also feed on carrion and as such are important in ridding the ecosystem from dying and dead animals.
Black-backed jackals have a fairly short gestation of about 60 days and can give birth to a litter of up to 6 pups. They live for approximately 13 years.
