Overview
As dusk settles, a soft hooting call may announce a side-striped jackal beginning its nightly search for food. More heavily built and less boldly marked than the black-backed jackal, this adaptable canid is usually seen alone or in pairs moving through woodland, scrub and damp grassland.
Its grey-brown coat is marked by a pale stripe along each side, bordered below by darker fur. The stripe can be surprisingly difficult to see, but the dark bushy tail with its conspicuous white tip provides another useful identification feature.
Side-striped jackals are highly opportunistic feeders. They eat insects, fruit, rodents, birds, reptiles and carrion, adjusting their diet to whatever is seasonally abundant. They scavenge readily but are also capable hunters, usually catching small prey with a quick dash or pounce rather than pursuing it over long distances.
Behaviour & How to Identify
Look for a medium-sized jackal with a broad muzzle, relatively short ears and a stockier build than the black-backed jackal. Its coat ranges from buff-grey to brown, with a pale horizontal stripe along the flank, a darker stripe beneath it and a white-tipped tail.
They usually forage alone or as a pair, although family groups may remain together while young animals mature. Mated pairs defend territories using scent marks and vocal calls, while older offspring may sometimes help care for younger pups.
Their calls differ from the more familiar howls and yelps of other jackals. Side-striped jackals can produce hoots, yips, screams and croaking sounds, with family members using distinctive calls to maintain contact.
Interesting facts
Their side stripe is not always obvious. The pale marking may blend into the coat, but the white tip of the dark tail is often easier to see.
They are unusually fond of fruit. Side-striped jackals are among the most omnivorous jackals and may eat substantial amounts of fruit and other plant material when available.
Pairs defend territories together. They mark boundaries with scent and use calls to communicate with partners and other family members.