Black-backed jackal hunting in Tanzania

Black-backed Jackals have a very distinctive black saddle on their backs, erect pointed ears with a beige to rusty-red body, face and legs with a black tip to the tail. Jackals are socially monogamous animals, pairing for life and defending their territory from other intruders. They have an eerie howl that is used to communicate with other Jackals and announce their presence. Black-backed Jackals occur in the central, western and northern semi-arid regions of Masailand. Side-striped Jackals are found throughout the country but are not as colourful as the Black-backed jackal. These dog-like fox size animals are very opportunistic efficient scavengers often stealing titbits from larger predators. They often trail these larger predators in the hope of getting a free meal. They are hunters in their own right and spend the better part of the night in search of food which includes anything from small mammals, rodents, fruit, insects and carrion. Black-backed Jackals are best hunted early morning when returning to their den or resting site. A prearranged Tanzanian hunting license is required to hunt a Jackal which is classified as a species of least concern by the IUCN, no special hunting permits are required.