Side-striped Jackal
Lupulella adustus
Side-striped Jackal, an omnivore in African savannas and forest edges.
| Scientific name | Lupulella adustus |
|---|---|
| Swahili name | Mbweha wa mistari |
| Conservation status | Least Concern |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Carnivora |
| Family | Canidae |
| Size | Males: approximately 6-11 kg; females: approximately 6-10 kg |
How to identify
Distinct white side stripes on the body; fur color is yellowish-brown with a grayish tint; ears are large and erect; tail is bushy with a black tip; small body size with long, slender limbs.
Habitat
Open woodland savanna, bushland, forest edges, and river valleys
Diet
Omnivorous, primarily feeding on small mammals, birds, insects, and fruits
When it is active
Nocturnal, more active at dusk and dawn
Where it lives
Distributed across central and eastern Africa, including Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and surrounding areas; commonly seen in Kenya’s Maasai Mara National Reserve
How to spot it
Search at dusk or dawn in open grasslands and bush edges, remain quiet, and use binoculars for observation
Photography tips
Use a telephoto lens, choose low-light activity periods for photography, focus on capturing side stripe features and behavioral dynamics
Threats
Habitat loss, hunting, and disturbance from human activities
Similar species
Black-backed jackal (Canis mesomelas), distinguished by the color and distribution of side stripes, which are more pronounced and darker in the black-backed jackal
