98 ANIMAL LIFE IN AFRICA 



THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL. This animal is slightly 

 larger than an English fox, and is much the most hand- 

 somely coloured member of the genus. The back is 

 black, interspersed with white hairs ; the sides of the 

 body and limbs are rufous, and become paler on the 

 underneath parts. The ears are comparatively large, 

 and the muzzle sharply pointed ; the tail is bushy, with 

 a black extremity, a few white hairs being sometimes 

 present at the tip. Individuals, however, tend to vary 

 even when of similar sex, and at the same time of year ; 

 grey hairs occasionally predominate over black ones on 

 the back, the rufous colour of the sides varies in tone, 

 and the definition between the tints of the back and sides 

 is not constantly sharp in all specimens. 



The Black-Backed Jackal ranges through the equatorial 

 region from Abyssinia to Cape Colony, wherever the 

 surroundings are suitable. It prefers open, or lightly 

 forested country, and by day lies up in thickets or long 

 grass. When hunted by dogs it will sometimes go to 

 earth, and the young are born underground. It is an 

 extremely alert and cunning little animal, possessing 

 a high turn of speed, as well as a considerable amount of 

 daring. In habit it is rather solitary, though, like all 

 scavenging species, individuals are prone to collect where 

 carrion lies. Mating pairs are often seen together, as 

 well as females with one or more well-grown whelps. 

 Where not much disturbed, the animal goes about a 

 good deal by day. Its senses are very acute, and when 

 alarmed it moves away at a light, springy gallop. 



The cry of the Black-Backed Jackal is a shrill " Yaaa- 

 ya-ya-ya-ya," repeated quickly several times. 



Besides eating carrion, eggs, locusts and other insects, 

 and reptiles, it preys upon all wild birds it can catch, 

 especially ground francolins and guinea-fowls, while it is 



