Ethiopian jackal - description, habitat, lifestyle

The Ethiopian jackal means a medium-sized individual belonging to the canine family. According to their external data, these individuals are somewhat similar to stray dogs. They are distinguished by their habits, duration of existence, reproduction and some features of distribution. In today's article, we will study everything that affects animals so that you make your own opinion.

Description

1. The animal has elongated limbs, the muzzle in the format of the wedge is also quite long. External data are characteristic of the rest of the family. According to the pigmentation of the body, the animals are red, brownish or gray-beige. A whitish mark can be observed in the neck area, on the internal parts of the limbs and sternum.
2. However, some individuals of the genus are characterized by the presence of marks on other sections of the hull. It all depends on the individual characteristics of a particular individual. The tail in the upper region is pigmented in black. The same tone on the back of the ears.
3. Individuals by their weight criteria do not exceed 16 kg., Females are even smaller, their weight ranges from 12-13 kg. The height at the withers is about half a meter. Shedding of animals takes place twice a year. It falls on springtime and autumn. The new coat is replaced completely in a few weeks.

Lifestyle

1. These individuals are characterized by wakefulness in the daytime. Each individual relies on a plot of an individual type. The family occupies a much larger territory. Some females with cubs can join in groups, fixing a certain area for themselves. To date, the mode of existence of the presented individuals has not been thoroughly studied. However, it is known that they are distrustful of people.
2. Animals have a sedentary way of being, but some schools can move from place to place in search of food supply. However, there are no seasonal migrations. Some members of the family go far from home to start the hunt. They attack livestock, eat carrion, and can attack individuals much larger than themselves.
3. Beasts are called horse hunters for one simple reason. They can accompany a pregnant cow or mare for a very long time, until she gives birth. Then the mammals feast on the placenta. In its affiliation, this species is monogamous. As for young animals, the younger generation is knocked down in packs of 8 individuals, after which they live and hunt together. Females leave their parental home earlier.

Habitat

1. Jackals of the presented subspecies prefer to live near the Ethiopian rift. The entire area is conditionally divided into 7 parts. Some individuals travel south, near Ethiopia.
2. These individuals like open areas with small stands. They can rise up to 3 thousand meters in height and even more, while feeling great.
3. Often, family members are noticed near agricultural holdings. Animals hunt cattle, so farmers do not like them. Some grab the gun, others set traps.

Life span

It is noteworthy that the considered individuals in the wild can survive for about 12 years. This applies to striped representatives. As for ordinary jackals, they live to be 14 years old. The average life expectancy in such animals, depending on the species, is from 10 to 14 years. Accordingly, if you keep wild animals in captivity, their life expectancy will increase significantly.

Breeding

1. It is interesting that the mating season in such individuals can occur at different times due to the geographical location of the animal habitat. Otherwise, after mating, the female continues to bear future offspring for about 2 months. Most often, the birth of babies falls in the rainy season. Up to 4 puppies are born.
2. It is curious that the considered individuals often equip their dwellings in the old burrows of the aardvark or abandoned termite mounds. It often happens that the female is not able to find a ready shelter. She does not despair and begins to tear her hole herself. As soon as offspring is born, the male brings food to the female.
3. The head of the family protects his family and constantly brings prey. At this time, the female can not leave the den, as she feeds the babies with milk. The lactation period lasts about 2 weeks. Then the female begins to go hunting with the male. Then they feed the younger generation together.
4. The considered individuals are monogamous and prefer to live in pairs. Therefore, in such animals, a pair is formed only once in a lifetime. Interestingly, the males greatly help the female to equip her home. Parents are engaged in raising a brood together. Most often, the female begins to estrus in late winter or early spring.
5. It is during the mating season that the jackals begin to howl loudly. This indicates that the mating season has begun. As a result, puppies are born in late spring or early summer. It is noteworthy that the female tries to choose her shelter almost in an impregnable place.
6. Young animals continue to be fed milk until about 3 months of age. However, at the age of 3 weeks, the female gradually begins to offer solid food. More precisely, she spits it up. Already with the onset of the first days of autumn, the offspring begins to live an independent life.
7. They are already hunting alone. Sometimes jackals create small groups. Females reach puberty at about 1 year, males a year later. It is noteworthy that when puppies grow up, the whole flock begins to protect and feed them.
8. Interestingly, offspring in a pack can have an exclusively dominant pair. She is represented by the leader of the pack and his sexually chosen one. Young animals can fully connect to the pack when they are six months old. They become fully adults at about 2 years old. In this case, individuals can create their own groups.

Natural enemies

1. Regardless of the species, the individuals in question have a lot of natural enemies. Such animals do not have large sizes and impressive strength, therefore, a larger predator poses a danger to them. If the jackal habitat intersects with the wolves, the former will be in serious danger.
2. Even if the animals presented live near the settlements, large yard dogs can bite them. In addition, the population of such animals is rapidly declining due to hunting for them. Jackal fur is appreciated for its density and softness. In Africa, the skin of jackals is used to make carpets.

Jackals are quite unremarkable animals that live in the wild. Currently, there are many subspecies. The considered individuals are on the verge of extinction. Their population is extremely small. The problem is that people continue to hunt such individuals, in addition to natural predators. The fur of the Ethiopian jackals is quite valuable. Therefore, in Africa, the animals presented are constantly exterminated for the sake of the skin.