Scientific Name: Canis mesomelas
Common Name: Black-backed Jackal, Schabrackenschakal, Rooijakkals, Ombadje, Usibwe, /Gireb. Le Chacal a chabraque, Chacal con lomo negro., Sciacallo
Distribution: South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, and Zimbabwe and in the region of the along the eastern coastline, including Kenya, Somalia, and Ethiopia
Description: The main characteristic of the black-backed jackal, which gives it its name, is the black hair running from the back of the neck to the tail . The chest is white, and the under parts are white to rusty white, whereas the rest of the body ranges from reddish brown to ginger in appearance. The head is dog like, with a pointed muzzle and high pointed ears. The winter coat of male adults develops a reddish to an almost deep russet red color. Females tend to be less richly colored.
Difference in Sex: Very little, female a little bit smaller.
Average Weight of Adult male: about 8 kg
Habitat: A wide range of habitats, particularly drier areas and open terrain, but can also be found at the Atlantic coast. They have a wide habitat tolerance, and are independent of water, which may only be available seasonally, but they will drink when water is available.
Habits: Black-backed jackals are like other small wolves and foxes in their foraging. They are social animals and often run in packs when hunting. Working together as a team eases the difficulty of bringing down a large prey. However, the black-backed jackal has also been found to hunt alone or with its mate. 
Main feeding time: Day and night
Size: Shoulder height 38 cm, mass (m) 8 kg, (f) 7 kg.
Gestation: 2 months
Number of young at birth: 3 to 8 pups
Communication: A very distinct "nyah-yah-yah" growls and yelps.
Age: 10 to 14 years
Diet: mainly feed on insects and smaller mammals such as rodents, hares, and small antelopes but may eat also quantities of plant material. Many jackals have been observed scavenging the remains of a feline kill such as that of a lion, leopard, or tiger before vultures pick everything clean.
Enemies: Lions, Leopard and Hyaena
Interesting facts: Run up to 55 km/ h
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