The black-backed jackal, Lupulella mesomelas, is a medium-sized canid native to eastern and southern Africa, in two regions roughly 900 kilometres apart. The southern region includes South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe. It is relatively unspecialised and can thrive in a wide variety of habitats, from arid coastal desert to areas with more than 2,000 millimetres of rainfall, and it also lives on farmland, savanna and alpine ground. Its kidneys are well adapted to water deprivation, and its carnassial teeth suit a more carnivorous diet than other jackals. The basic social unit is a monogamous mated pair that marks its territory with faeces and urine. The IUCN lists it as least concern because of its wide range and adaptability, though farmers persecute it as a livestock predator and rabies vector.
Facts
Classification
Population Trend System (Realm) ThreatsBiological Resource Use 2 Relationship to People Living or Extinct Conservation Status Body Size Band Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Activity Pattern Comparison
CITES Appendix Connections
Child Taxon Of
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)
In Biome
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)
In the Other Atlases
Found In
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)Lead, southern region, BotswanaQuote, Lead, southern region, Botswana
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)Lead, southern region, NamibiaQuote, Lead, southern region, Namibia
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)Lead, southern regionQuote, Lead, southern region
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Also in Geography Atlas: where this subject is found.
Source Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)Lead, southern region, ZimbabweQuote, Lead, southern region, Zimbabwe
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Sources
1. Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014): EltonTraits 1.0 mammal diet data
Ecological Archives E095-178 (Wilman et al. 2014)MamFuncDat.txt row Canis mesomelas, BodyMass-Value (grams)
Canis mesomelas Canidae 10 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 8500.02
MamFuncDat.txt row Canis mesomelas, Activity-Nocturnal
Canis mesomelas Canidae 10 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 8500.02
MamFuncDat.txt row Canis mesomelas, Activity-Crepuscular
Canis mesomelas Canidae 10 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 8500.02
MamFuncDat.txt row Canis mesomelas, Activity-Diurnal
Canis mesomelas Canidae 10 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 8500.02
MamFuncDat.txt row Canis mesomelas, Diet-Inv through Diet-PlantO
Canis mesomelas Canidae 10 30 0 0 0 30 0 0 0 30 Ref_1 ABC G A 1 1 1 Ref_1 ABC 8500.02
View the Source 2. Black-backed jackal (Wikipedia)
Lead, IUCN status
It is listed on the IUCN Red List as least concern due to its widespread range and adaptability
Lead, populations
its populations remain stable thanks to its resilience and adaptability across diverse landscapes
Habitat
The black-backed jackal generally shows a preference for open areas with little dense vegetation, though it occupies a wide range of habitats, from arid coastal deserts to areas with more than 2000 mm of rainfall.
Lead, persecution
it is still persecuted as a livestock predator and rabies vector
Lead, southern region, Namibia
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Lead, southern region, Botswana
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Lead, southern region, Zimbabwe
One region includes the southernmost tip of the continent, including South Africa, Namibia, Botswana and Zimbabwe.
Child Taxon Of: Lupulella, Lead, genus
The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa.
In Group: Dogs And Wild Canids, Lead, canid
The black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas) is a medium-sized canine native to eastern and southern Africa.
In Biome: Desert, Habitat, deserts
The black-backed jackal is relatively unspecialised, and can thrive in a wide variety of habitats, including deserts, as its kidneys are well adapted for water deprivation.
In Biome: Savanna, Habitat, savannas
It also occurs in farmlands, savannas, open savanna mosaics, and alpine areas.
In Biome: Alpine, Habitat, alpine areas
It also occurs in farmlands, savannas, open savanna mosaics, and alpine areas.
View the Source3. Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of Zoology: Canis mesomelas
Animal Diversity Web, University of Michigan Museum of ZoologyConservation Status: CITESQuote, Conservation Status: CITES
No special status
4. AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic Resources: AnAge entry for Canis mesomelas
AnAge, Human Ageing Genomic ResourcesLifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevityQuote, Lifespan, ageing, and relevant traits: Maximum longevity
16.7 years (captivity)
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