Scientific Name
Canidae Family
Common Names
Classification
Close Relatives
Jackals stand about 40cms tall, and weigh an average of 8 kilograms.
They eat almost anything that is available, such as plants, rodents, lizards, insects and carrion (corpse).
They have a dog like appearance, and are widespread throughout South and East Africa.
A great legend of the Jackal is the Jackal offered a lost little Hottentot girl a ride home on his back. She was known as the Sun Child. After a short distance the Jackal became uncomfortable because of the heat from her. Howling, he leapt into dense bush and the little girl was swept from his back. Scorched and sorry for himself he ran away, carrying forever the mark of the Sun Child.