Jackals

Canids of the genus Jackal are found all over Africa and Eurasia and are around the size of a fox. Even though the term "jackal" has been used to describe a wide variety of canines belonging to the subtribe canina in the past, today it is most often used to describe one of three closely related species: the black-backed jackal (Lupulella mesomelas), the side-striped jackal (Lupulella adusta) of sub-Saharan Africa, and the golden jackal (Canis aureus) of south-central Europe and Asia. Africa's golden wolf (Canis lupaster), which was once thought to be a jackal, is now known to be a separate species.

All jackals are opportunistic omnivores, predators of small to medium-sized animals, and expert scavengers. However, they do not form a single phylogenetic group because they eat different things and don't care what they eat. Their big feet and fused leg bones make them well-suited for long-distance sprinting. They can run at 16 km/h (10 mph) for a long time. Their long legs and curved canine teeth help them hunt small mammals, birds, and reptiles. Jackals are most active in the early morning and late evening, which is called a crepuscular schedule.

The basic social unit for these animals is a monogamous couple that chases away other couples from their territory by being aggressive and leaving poop and urine as markers. Some young adults may be able to remain with their parents until they are ready to set up their own territories, if the territory is large enough. However, jackals typically only hunt singly or in pairs, but they have been seen to form small groups for specific purposes like scavenging.

Reproduction of Jackals

They have a litter of two to four pups, which spend their first few weeks of life underground. By the time the kittens are three weeks old, they are brought outside for play and acclimation. Every two weeks, the mother will find a new den location because otherwise, potential predators will learn where her young are hiding.

Uganda is Home to Two Types of Jackals

The side-striped jackal is the most common of Uganda's savannah dog species; it lives in all four savannah national parks as well as the montane forests of Bwindi Impenetrable and Mgahinga National Parks. The northern areas of Murchison Falls National Park are the best bet for spotting them.

The Kidepo National Park, Pian Upe, and the surrounding area are the only places in Uganda where you may see the golden jackal or the related black-backed jackal.

The golden jackal is on Uganda's national inventory as a stray species, but it has never been seen in the country's national parks.

Black-backed jackal

The black-backed jackal looks like a fox, but it is much longer and its ears are bigger. The golden jackal is a distant relative, but its head and teeth are similar to those of the wolf. The incisors of the golden jackal are much longer and sharper, though.

The undercoat ranges from a rusty brown to a sandy tan and is most noticeable on the lower body. From the animal's shoulders all the way down to its tail base is a black saddle woven with silvery hair. The saddle is distinct from the rest of the body thanks to a long, black stripe that runs along the flanks and can be used to tell individuals apart. The tail is thick and black at the end.

In Uganda, you can only see black-backed jackals in Kidepo National Park, Pian Upe, and the surrounding area.

Golden jackal

Canis aureus, sometimes known as the golden jackal or common jackal,

The golden jackal looks like a grey wolf, but it is smaller, lighter, has a longer torso, a flatter forehead, shorter legs, and a shorter, more pointed mouth. The legs are lengthy compared to the rest of the body, and the feet are narrow and have little pads.

Even though the golden jackal has never been seen in a protected area in Uganda, it has been seen digging through gardens for food and hunting small animals.

Side-striped Jackal

The side-striped jackal is a canid of medium size, slightly larger than the black-backed jackal on average.

Grey on top, lighter underneath; black with a white tip on the tail. On the sides, from the elbow down to the hip, there are faint white stripes. Markings are clearer on adults than on teens, and this is true both within and between populations.

Queen Elizabeth, Kidepo Valley, Lake Mburo, Bwindi Impenetrable, and Mgahinga National Parks all include populations of the black-striped jackal, which is the most common jackal in Uganda. However, you're more likely to see it north of Murchison Falls National Park.