I've always HEARD of jackals but had never seen one until today. What a beautiful, graceful animal.Our guide told us that this carnivore has long been the subject of superstition about death and evil spirits. The ancient Egyptians believed a jackal-headed god guided the dead to those who judged their souls. Such beliefs were probably encouraged by the jackal's cleverness, nocturnal habits, eerie howling and scavenging.
Jackals live singly or in pairs (mate for life) and are sometimes found in small packs. Mated pairs are territorial, and both the female and the male mark and defend the boundaries of their territory.
Yipping calls are made when the family gathers. Members only respond to their own family's calls and ignore those of other individuals. Although they have long had a reputation as sneaky, skulking scavengers, research has shown jackals to be agile, lithe hunters with close-knit, cooperative family groups. They have been successful in adapting to changing environments.
Jackals are noisy. Family or pack members communicate with each other by a screaming yell and yapping, or a sirenlike howl when a kill is located.
