The golden, or Asiatic, jackal is found from Eastern Europe and northeast Africa to Southeast Asia, and the black-backed and side-striped jackals of southern and eastern Africa.

Jackals bear young in the dry season once a year. Their litter consists of 3 to 4 pups, but can be larger up to 6. The gestation period is 58 to 65 days.

Jackal territory ranges from 1.5 km square to 3 km square. They are usually nocturnal creatures but are active during the day too. Jackals form pairs (male and female) which usually disrupt when one member dies. They are found in woodland and savannah areas.

They forage their territory for food and can steal scraps from kills made by larger predatory animals like the lion or leopard. They are well suited to the East African plains.

Jackals call consists of a mixture of yells and yelps. Their calls are sometimes abrupt.

Jackals grow to a length of about 85-95 centimetres (34-37 inches), including the 30-35 centimetres tail, and weigh about 7-11 kilograms (15-24 pounds).