Black Backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas)

Medium sized and dog like, with a characteristic black saddle; broad at the neck and shoulders, narrowing towards the base of the tail, and liberally sprinkled with white hair. Mainly found in farming areas and locations where they come in to conflict with man but in undisturbed regions they forage  during the cooler daylight hours.

They are normally solitary or in pairs but  like other jackal species family parties are not unusual. Pairs form a long term bond with both sexes marking and defending the territory. Their territories vary in size depending on factors such as food availability  and compettion with other jackals.

Their call can be described as screaming yell, finishing off with three or four short yaps.