Golden jackals can be distinguished from other jackal species by the black tip on their tail.
They are a slender, medium-sized canid with long legs, a long-pointed muzzle, and a relatively short bushy tail. Their coat is coarse and, as their name suggests, golden or yellowish in colour.
Golden jackals are social animals living in packs that consist of a breeding pair and their young that work together to hunt. They are opportunistic omnivores that have adapted to living alongside human populations, taking advantage of the waste that is produced.
Golden jackals play a key role in the ecosystems, that they inhabit. As omnivores, that will sometimes eat carrion, they provide a wide range of beneficial services such as seed dispersal, pest control, and reduction of disease by eating carrion.
Size: The Golden jackals body ranges from 70 to 85cm in length, with their tail reaching up to 25cm. They can weigh between 8 and 10kg.