Where does the golden jackal live?
The golden jackal lives in Eurasia: in Europe, the Middle East and South Asia. It is widespread, and lives at high density where there is plenty of food and good shelter. The oldest golden jackal fossils in Europe were found in Greece and are 7,000 years old. Despite its name, it is not closely related to the African black-backed jackal or the side-striped jackal, but is closer to wolves and coyotes.
What does the golden jackal eat?
It is an opportunist: it eats fruits, insects, birds and rodents that it hunts, but also the carcasses of larger dead animals. As a scavenger, it cleans up carcasses, which helps limit the spread of diseases passed from animals. Its long legs and lithe body let it trot over great distances in search of food. It is crepuscular and nocturnal, and discreet. The breeding pair is the basic social unit, sometimes accompanied by their pups.
Is the golden jackal endangered?
No: the IUCN lists it as Least Concern, because it is widespread and abundant where there is food and shelter. Its ancestor is believed to be the extinct Arno river dog, which lived in southern Europe 1.9 million years ago.
