Jackal
Scientific classification
Kingdom:Animalia
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Mammalia
Order:Carnivora
Family:Canidae
Genus:Canis
Species:aureus, adustus, mesomelas
Binomial name
Canis aureus, Canis adustus, Canis mesomelas
The jackal is one of a number of small-to-medium-sized members of the Canidae family found in Africa and Asia. Jackals fill a similar ecological niche as does the coyote in North America, that of scavenger and lesser predator.

Jackals may occasionally assemble in small packs, but normally hunt alone.

Species:

  • golden jackal (Canis aureus)
  • side-striped jackal (Canis adustus)
  • black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas)
  • bat-eared fox (Otocyon megalotis)

The Ancient Egyptian God of death and dying, Anubis, was depicted as a man with a jackal's head.