Black-backed Jackal
Lupulella mesomelas
Black-backed Jackal is a versatile omnivore found in African savannas and semi-arid areas.
| Scientific name | Lupulella mesomelas |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Mbweha |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Size | Male: 7-9 kg; Female: 6-8 kg |
How to identify
Distinct black stripes covering the back; small body size with slender limbs; large, erect ears; bushy tail with a lighter-colored tip; face with distinct pale markings.
Habitat
Open savannas with scattered trees, shrublands, open grasslands, and semi-arid regions
Diet
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on small mammals, birds, insects, and fruits
When it is active
Crepuscular (active at dawn and dusk)
Where it lives
Distributed across eastern and southern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, South Africa, Namibia, and others; commonly seen in Kenya’s Masai Mara region
How to spot it
Look for them at dawn or dusk along edges of open savannas and shrublands, paying attention to their characteristic black back stripes
Photography tips
Use soft morning and evening light for photography, capturing their activity and foraging behavior; use a telephoto lens to avoid disturbance
Threats
Habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, disease transmission
Similar species
Similar to the African golden wolf, but the black-backed jackal has distinct black stripes on its back and a smaller body size; distinguished from hyenas mainly by size and back coloration
