Food of the Black-Backed Jackal: A Preliminary Report

Abstract

A study was made of the food habits of the black-backed jackal Canis mesomelas by analysis of stomach contents. Two hundred and one stomachs were collected between May 1961 and May 1963, most being obtained in the Transvaal. Percentage occurrence and percentage by volume were calculated for the various foods found in 185 stomachs. Vegetable food (excluding grass) occurred in 18 · 9 per cent of the stomachs, vertebrates in 84 · 9 per cent and invertebrates in 47 · 6 per cent. The most frequent food groups were insects (45 · 5 per cent), rodents and birds (both 32 · 4 per cent), carrion (27 · 0 per cent), hoofed domestic stock (17 · 3 per cent), wild vegetable food (16 · 2 per cent), hares (15 · 7 per cent) and antelope (9 · 7 per cent). A large variety of foods was found in individual stomachs.