JACKAL
Taxonomic Position
Scientific classification:
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Carnivora
Family: Canidae
Genus: Canis
Example Species:
Natural Habitat
The common jackal lives in open savannas, deserts and
arid grasslands. Side-striped jackals are found in moist savannas, marshes,
bushlands and mountains. The sliver-backed jackal lives primarily in savannas
and woodlands.
Most common and wide range
of jackals are found in Africa. They are also
found in south Asia, South-eastern Europe and
in some parts of Middle-East.
Endangered
The Simien jackal, also known as the Ethiopian wolf,
is highly endangered due to habitat destruction, diseases from domestic dogs
and overgrazing.
Biological Importance
-
Jackals carry many diseases and parasites
harmful to human health.
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They can cause rabies.
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Some infected jackals can contaminate water
bodies with their eggs and water from such sources if consumed by humans result
in serious infection.
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They spread diseases in sheep, cattle and dogs
as well.
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They are known to carry 12 different species of
ticks.
Ecological Importance
-
Leopards, hyenas and eagles are jackals'
most feared predators. Eagles are small pups’ biggest threat.
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They play an important role as scavengers by
eating waste and animal carrion.
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Parasitic relation.
Economic Importance
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They benefit agriculture by preventing increases
in the number of rodents and lagomorphs.
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They are hunted for their fur.
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Some jackals that are hand-raised can be tamed
and kept in houses, and behave much as domestic dogs.
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Some jackals raid crops such as corn, sugarcane
and watermelon.
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They attack sheep and cause loss of cattle.
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They spread diseases.
-
In past years they have known to attacking and
killing children.
Ethnic Importance
The ancient Egyptians believed in a
jackal-headed god, Anubis that guided the dead to those who judged their souls.
Such beliefs were probably encouraged by the jackal's cleverness, nocturnal
habits, uncanny howling and scavenging.
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