Food of the Black-Backed Jackal: A Preliminary Report |
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| Authors: | R N Grafton |
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| Institution: | S.A. Lombard Nature Reserve, Bloemhof |
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| 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.Volumetrically, vegetable food amounted to 4 · 5 per cent of the diet, animal food made up 95 · 5 per cent, vertebrates 54 · 2 per cent and invertebrates 8 · 2 per cent. By volume, the major food groups were carrion (28 · 7 per cent), domestic stock (18 · 5 per cent), antelope (9 · 7 per cent), hares (9 · 4 per cent), rodents (9 · 0 per cent), insects (8 · 0 per cent) and birds (4 · 5 per cent).One hundred and five stomachs from male jackals contained an average of 171 · 6 cc. of food while 90 females gave an average of 129 · 3 cc. The average food volume for all stomachs was 150 · 7 cc. Average food volumes were greater in spring and summer than for the autumn-winter period, suggesting a lesser availability of food from March to August. The merits of the two analysis methods used are discussed and the difficulty in identifying carrion is emphasised. Further investigation is necessary for an understanding of the ecological significance of the jackal’s diet and its economic importance to the sheep farmer. The black-backed jackal is a highly omnivorous feeder; although a confirmed sheep-killer at times, it also feeds on many harmful pest species. |
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| Keywords: | Protista New species Eimeria Coccidia Rodentia Uganda |
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