Thursday, June 9, 2011



Day of the Jackal

kal) created a forum on days of the Jackal which motivated us to put up this photo article of the images we had .. .they show some interesting behaviors of the Jackals. Two incidences are in photo sequel where the jackal is shown scavenging - the way it is percieved A Scavenger, however there is an instance where 2 jackals killed a Sambar fawn in Sariska Tiger Reserve.


Golden jackals are strictly nocturnal in areas inhabited by humans, but may be partly diurnal

jackals play an important scavenging role by eating garbage and animal carrion around towns and villages.

Members of the same family also cooperate in sharing larger food items


Jackal in greens

The golden jackal raids crops such as pumpkin, cucumbers, corn, sugarcane and watermelon. Farmers use these kind of fencing from Sarees to protect crops from Jackals and other wild animals

Jackal Habitat


Jackals prefer arid short grasslands and steppe landscapes



This was 2006 in Sariska where Dharmendra sighted this male close to a water hole


At the water hole stood a Sambar family which had the mother a young male and a fawn, the jackal can be seen in the background watching them

Though the golden jackal is a capable hunter, it normally does not attack larger animals. The fawn had got confused and did not run out while the other sambar left, the Jackal and sambar fawn face to face

While the male tried grasping the fawn the female came from behind into the water

Alert female in the background while the male still trying to hold down the fawn. Cooperative hunting is a important feature of the Jackals survival kit

Fawn trying to escape

The male Jackal holding the Sambar on the neck

Female comes to help


Both trying to drown the Sambar in water

Male holding the Sambar kill while female walks out


Still holding the fawn



Fawn in the water and male Jackal watching



Eating the hard earned meal in water



Food finished show over now stop clicking me

EXPRESSIONS


Display behavior

Angry


Expressions : I

Expressions : II

FIGHT

strange jackals meet each other, most of the behavior expresses subordination, superiority, or eagerness to attack.

They behave in a manner similar to domesticated dogs and wolves



Submissive behavior shown by the defeated male


BREEDING & YOUNG ONES


A "To be Mother" - Gestation period is about 2 months and litter size can vary from 1 to 9


Jackal pups come out of the den only after 2 weeks of birth, thats when weaning begins and external foods are bought to den by parents.

Male and female members of a golden jackal pair have important roles in maintaining their territory and in raising the young.

The basic social unit of the golden jackal is a mated pair or a mated pair and its young. Young males breed only after age of two, older litter often stays back near parents and they may form a family unit.


Food is transported from site to the den in their stomachs for later regurgitation to pups or lactating mothers


Hunting families hold territories of two to three square kilometers throughout the year


A male trying to keeps the crows away from a dead camel


Although they are opportunistic foragers their diet can vary due to season and habitat


When near human habitations, jackals will feed near landfills and cattle burial places




Having a feast tonight !

The camel got a new tail !



Fighting for food!



OK ... I am done, do you want a share too?

ROAD KILL

Road Kill : I

Road Kill : II




Road Kill : III

BUT IN THE END IT WILL

'Make his own road'


Jackal in Kuno forest - using ruins of the relocated villages

References:
1. Foxes, Wolves & Wild Dogs of the world - David Alderton
2. Foraging & Habitat Use By Golden Jackals in the Bhal Region, Gujarat, India Ambika Aiyadurai WII document Conservation of Indian Wolf
3. Golden Jackal (2004) YV Jhala and P D Moehlman



8 comments:

  1. Excellent bhai!!
    Thats awesome effort :D Congratulations!! :)

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  2. Too good... Amazing collection and documentation...

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  3. Informative,graphical and interesting!

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  4. :) Amazing Photo Log ! Nice Pics Dr. Dharmendra Sir and write up Divya :) Thank you for sharing.

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  5. Amazing pictures, absolutely engrossing !
    The last few pics were saddening though :(

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  6. Excellent photo-documentation both from an animal behaviour perspective as well as aesthetics and very good description to go with the pictures. The pictures of jackals killing the sambar fawn are especially valuable as they document a little observed behaviour of the species. Well done and thanks for sharing.

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  7. Once again, Amazing pictures! Thanks so much for sharing information about a Jackal's habitat too.

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