Jackals

   The jackal is any of a group of foxlike mammals with a sharp pointed face, erect ears, and a bushy tail. Jackals range in lenght from 2 to 2½ feet, not including their 8-inch-long tails. Their coats are usually gray, buff, or reddish black. Jackals live in southeastern Europe, northern Africa, Asia Minor, and southern Asia, and in these regions they are frequently known as wild dogs.
    Jackals usually live in open plains, deserts, or prairies. They become active at dusk, when give a series of peculiar wailing howls. Although usually live alone, jackals often hunt in groups of three to six animals. Their diet consists chiefly of rodents and other small mammals, berries, lizards, and insects, but they may also eat the remains of prey left by other animals. Jackals sometimes prey on poultry and other small farm animals.
Mating may occur at almost any time of the year. About two months after mating the female gives birth to a litter, usually consisting of four young. The pups remain in underground burrows until they are able to take care of themselves. A jackal may live for 12 to 15 years.
    There are no jackals in the Western Hemisphere, but several kinds of related South American animals that belong to the genus Dusicyon are commonly called jackals. Little is known about these animals, but they appear to behave much like foxes.
    Jackals are classified as order Carnivora, family Canidae, genus Thos.