THE BLACK-BACKED JACKAL 



and consequently takes the greatest of precautions 

 to conceal itself when he is about. 



During the daytime it lies securely hidden in 

 the dense, matted scrub, from which it issues forth 

 at night in search of food, which consists of almost 

 any kind of living creature it is able to overpower, 

 or any carrion it may be able to find. It is a cow- 

 ardly, treacherous, and secretive animal. 



If run down by dogs, the jackal offers little or 

 no resistance, often lying flat upon the ground with 

 its head between its forepaws. At other times it 

 snaps viciously, and is capable of inflicting nasty 

 flesh wounds ; but when seized it seems to become 

 almost paralysed with fear, and meekly allows itself 

 to be killed. 



When attacked by small dogs which it realises are 

 afraid to boldly rush in and seize it, the jackal 

 dashes right and left at them, uttering a sharp cack- 

 ling noise ; and should it succeed in laying hold 

 of one of its tormentors, it inflicts a very severe 

 bite, for its teeth are strong and sharp, and its jaws 

 powerful. 



I have never known or heard of a jackal deliber- 

 ately attacking a man. I have seen instances of old 

 male jackals, when wounded or brought to bay by 

 dogs, offering a most threatening front when the 

 owner of the dogs approached to within a few paces, 

 snapping and clashing his teeth together viciously 

 at him, but not showing any disposition to attack 

 him. 



93 



