golden jackal

The golden jackal, also known as the Asiatic jackal, is a species of wolflike carnivore belonging to the dog genus Canis. These mammals are found from eastern Europe to Southeast Asia. Golden jackals are typically yellowish in color and weigh between 15 to 24 pounds, with a body length of about 34 to 37 inches, including their tail.1

Jackals inhabit open country and are nocturnal hunters, often scavenging after larger predators like lions. They can hunt in pairs or packs, capable of bringing down prey as large as an antelope. While known for their hunting prowess, they also consume insects and plant material. Jackals are sometimes mistakenly called hyenas due to a shared reputation for cowardice, though this is largely a myth.12