Editing Jackal (section)

{{Short description|Several species of canines}}
{{Other uses}}
{{Redirect|Thos|the beast in heraldry|theow}}
{{Paraphyletic group
| name = Jackal
| image = Flickr - Rainbirder - Golden Jackal (1).jpg
| image_alt = Golden jackal ("Canis aureus")
| image_caption = [[Golden jackal]] (''Canis aureus'')
| range_map = Jackals.png
| auto = yes
| parent = Canina
| display_parents = 2
| includes_text = Species referred to as jackals
| includes =
* ''[[Lupulella adusta]]''
* ''[[Lupulella mesomelas]]''
* ''[[Canis aureus]]''
}}

'''Jackals''' are [[Canidae|canids]] native to [[Africa]] and [[Eurasia]]. While the word {{wikt-lang|en|jackal}} has historically been used for many canines of the subtribe [[Canina (subtribe)|canina]], in modern use it most commonly refers to three species: the closely related [[black-backed jackal]] (''Lupulella mesomelas'') and [[side-striped jackal]] (''Lupulella adusta'') of [[Central Africa|Central]] and [[Southern Africa]], and the [[golden jackal]] (''Canis aureus'') of south-central Europe and Asia. The African [[golden wolf]] (''Canis lupaster'') was also formerly considered a jackal.

While they do not form a [[monophyly|monophyletic]] [[clade]], all jackals are opportunistic omnivores, predators of small to medium-sized animals and proficient [[scavenger]]s. Their long legs and curved [[canine teeth]] are adapted for hunting small [[mammal]]s, birds, and [[reptile]]s, and their large feet and fused leg bones give them a physique well-suited for long-distance running, capable of maintaining speeds of {{Convert|16|km/h|mph|abbr=on|0}} for extended periods of time. Jackals are [[crepuscular]], most active at dawn and dusk.

Their most common social unit is a [[Monogamy in animals|monogamous]] pair, which defends its territory from other pairs by vigorously chasing intruders and [[territorial marking|marking landmarks]] around the [[territory (animal)|territory]] with their [[urine]] and [[feces]]. The territory may be large enough to hold some young adults, which stay with their parents until they establish their own territories. Jackals may occasionally assemble in small [[pack (canine)|pack]]s, for example, to scavenge a carcass, but they normally hunt either alone or in pairs.