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The side-striped jackal is a medium-sized, omnivorous canid in sub-Saharan Africa, known for the faint white stripe running along its flanks and a white-tipped tail. These adaptable animals are mainly nocturnal, live in monogamous pairs, and their diet varies seasonally to include small animals, insects, fruits, and carrion. They inhabit diverse environments, including savanna woodlands, marshes, and even human settlements, and are classified as 'Least Concern' by the IUCN due to stable populations.
Appearance and physical traits
Stripes: The most distinctive feature is a faint white stripe running from the elbow to the hip on each side, with black lower margins.
Tail: Their tail is black with a white tip.
Color: They are typically buff-grey, with a darker back and lighter undersides.
Size: They are slightly larger than black-backed jackals, with males being somewhat larger than females.
Mass: Males can weigh 7.3 to 12 kg, while females rarely exceed 10 kg.
Length: Head and body length is around 650-800 mm.
Shoulder height: Around 400-500 mm.
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Habitat and behavior
Habitat: They are adaptable and can be found in savanna woodlands, bushveld, marshes, and even towns and farmlands.
Activity: They are primarily nocturnal but can also be active during the day.
Social structure: They are monogamous and form pairs that can last for life. They live in family groups that help raise the young.
Dens: Dens are often found in termite mounds or disused aardvark burrows.
Diet and feeding
Omnivorous: Their diet is opportunistic and flexible, consisting of both plants and animals.
Food sources: They eat insects, small mammals, birds, reptiles, fruits, and carrion.
Scavenging: They will scavenge from rubbish dumps in urban and peri-urban areas.
Reproduction and lifespan
Breeding: Breeding seasons vary by location, occurring from June to November in southern Africa.
Gestation: The gestation period is about 63 days.
Litter size: Females typically give birth to a litter of 1 to 6 pups.
Lifespan: They can live up to 14 years in the wild.
Conservation status
IUCN Classification: 'Least Concern' (LC) due to stable populations.
Threats: They face threats from persecution by farmers protecting livestock and from being killed or poisoned due to their perceived role in rabies transmission.
