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. 
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