Tanzania: 2-19

Black-backed Jackals

Ever on the alert.  When they rest, 360 degrees are covered as one watches each way.

The black-backed jackal is a fox-like canid^[5] with a slender body, long legs, and large ears.^[6] It is similar to the closely related side-striped jackal and more distantly related to the golden jackal, though its skull and dentition are more robust and the incisors much sharper.^[5] It weighs 6–13 kg (13–29 lb),^[5] stands 38–48 cm (15–19 in) at the shoulder, and measures 67.3–81.2 cm (26.5–32.0 in) in body length.^[6]

The base colour is reddish brown to tan, which is particularly pronounced on the flanks and legs. A black saddle intermixed with silvery hair extends from the shoulders to the base of the tail.^[6] A long, black stripe extending along the flanks separates the saddle from the rest of the body, and can be used to differentiate individuals.^[5] The tail is bushy and tipped with black. The lips, throat, chest, and inner surface of the limbs are white.^[6] The winter coat is a much deeper reddish brown.^[5] Albino specimens occasionally occur.^[5] The hair of the face measures 10–15 mm in length, and lengthens to 30–40 mm on the rump. The guard hairs of the back are 60 mm on the shoulder, decreasing to 40 mm at the base of the tail. The hairs of the tail are the longest, measuring 70 mm in length.^[8]