THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL 



(Canis mesomelas) 



THE beautiful Black-backed Jackal of South Africa is the hand- 

 somest and most distinct of the group of wild canines known as Jackals, 

 which, although presenting some points of resemblance to Foxes, come 

 closer to the Wolves. Indeed, as far as size goes, there is little to choose 

 between the large dull-coloured Jackal of Egypt {Canis anthus) and the 

 under-sized Wolf of the Indian Peninsula. 



The Black-backed Jackal is rather larger than the average Fox, 

 which size is characteristic of Jackals in general. Its tail is, however, 

 longer than those of Jackals usually are, but it does not form as full a 

 brush as Foxes' tails do. By the name of " Fox " it is commonly known 

 near Cape-Town, where it has been regularly hunted for many years, 

 in the orthodox way with Fox-hounds. It has also been so hunted 

 in Bechuanaland, but for the most part it is simply regarded as vermin, 

 and has a reward of ys. 6d. set on its tail, for it is a serious pest to the 

 flocks of the Cape farmers. Like Jackals generally, however, it is a 

 terrible coward, and seldom summons up enough pluck to tackle a full- 

 sized Sheep. It feeds readily on carrion, and also kills Hares, while, as 

 might be expected, it is destructive to poultry. Nothing, indeed, comes 

 amiss to it in the way of meat ; even a Water-tortoise has been found 

 in the stomach of one. 



At times several may be seen together in the evening as depicted in 

 the illustration ; but as a general rule the animal cannot be called social, 

 even the parents not living in the earth along with their cubs, but lying 

 out in any adjacent cover. They are, however, attentive to their young, 

 the male as well as the female helping to provide for the family, which 

 usually numbers about half-a-dozen. It has been noticed that the 

 burrow, which the animals prefer to find ready-made, has almost always 

 a " back-door" to allow the young to escape in case of need. 



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