Day of the Jackal

Mysore based NGO Nature Conservation Foundation (http://conservation.in/jac

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

4. http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/accounts/information/Canis_aureus.html