Black-Backed Jackal - Canis mesomelas
Black-backed Jackals are very caring family
members, mating for life and jointly raising young. Food is brought back
to the den by both the male and the female and regurgitated for the young.
An offspring, once mature, may stay with its parents to help them raise
the next litter. its presence as guard while the older jackals hunt, greatly
enhances the survival rate of the pups. Predators are driven away from
the den by nipping at their haunches.
Pairs are very closely bonded and will share
in all activities - defending and urine-marking their territory, hunting
and eating. Even the smallest of scraps are shared equally. They will
call and answer each other when separated and spend a lot of time grooming
their mates.
Bushem regard
jackals as cowardly and believe that to eat the heart of a jackal will
turn a man into a coward. This reputation is unwarrented as the sight
of a jackal manoeuvering its way into a lion kill, where hyaenas and vultures
fear to approach, will certify. In Savuti, a black-backed jackal has been
recorded to have taken a newly born lion cub while the mother was recovering
from giving birth. They are opportunists and will follow lions and hyaena
around, knowing that they have to make a kill some time.
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