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Code: Mammals Life
Skills: Mammals of India
Client:Save Tree Save Life Society
Website: www.savetreesavelife.org

Project Description

The Indian golden jackal (Canis aureus indicus) is a fascinating wild canid that inhabits the Indian subcontinent.

Description:
- The Indian golden jackal has a mixture of black and white fur, with buff coloring on the shoulders, ears, and legs. At higher altitudes, the buff color becomes more pronounced.
- Black hairs dominate the middle of its back and tail. The belly, chest, and sides of its legs are creamy white, while the face and lower flanks feature grey fur.
- Compared to the common jackal, the Indian golden jackal has a richer color, with pale buff areas on its back rather than whitish or silver.
- Adult Indian jackals are slightly larger than common jackals, growing up to a length of 100 cm (39 inches), a height of 35–45 cm (14–18 inches), and a weight of 8–11 kg (18–24 lbs).
- They typically inhabit lowlands near towns, villages, and farms, seeking shelter in holes among ruins or dense brush.
- While primarily scavengers subsisting on garbage and offal, they also consume rodents, reptiles, fruit, and insects. Occasionally, they hunt small deer and antelopes.
- Despite occasionally preying on poultry and young livestock, they are largely harmless. When wild prey is scarce, they even turn to vegetable matter, including maize and Jujube fruit.
- Interestingly, Indian golden jackals expelled from their packs have been known to form commensal relationships with tigers. These solitary jackals trail tigers at a safe distance to feed on the big cat’s kills. They are called “kol-bahl” in this context.
Presence in Folklore and Literature:
- Golden jackals play prominent roles in Indian and Nepali folklore, often assuming the trickster archetype, similar to the red fox in European and North American tales.