Jackals will often follow lions and other big cats to scavenge their kills.

Life span
Golden jackals live for 12-14 years in captivity.

Statistics
Body length: 70-85cm, Tail length: 25cm, Standing height: 40cm, Weight: 8-10kg.

Physical description
Golden jackals have golden reddish-yellow fur with a white mark on the throat. The coat darkens in the winter.

Distribution
Golden jackals inhabit the Balkan peninsula, to Thailand and Sri Lanka, Morocco to Egypt and northern Tanzania.

Habitat
The typical habitat of golden jackals is predominantly dry open country.

Diet
They feed on small mammals, insects and fruit.

Behaviour
Golden jackals live together in pairs but often hunt in family troops.

Reproduction
They have a gestation period of nine weeks, after which they give birth to 3-6 pups. They weigh 200-250g at birth.

Conservation status
Golden jackals are prevalent and not threatened. Their enemies are humans, wolves and leopards.