23 Aug Black-backed Jackal | An Ancient Species
Driving around Nambiti Reserve, you just never know what you will encounter along the way! What a pleasant surprise to meet up with this little fellow, the Black-backed Jackal. An ancient species with fossils found dating as far back as two and half million years ago, the jackal has remained pretty much unchanged through the ages. These skittish canines are very often heard but not seen, scooting for cover so as not to be seen. Sometimes their curiosity gets the better of them and they will still stop to peep back at you. Being an opportunistic predator and a scavenger, these cute canines are in actual fact omnivores and not fussy at all about their diet choices, which range from small mammals, insects, invertebrates, carrion and eggs to wild fruit and berries. When you are enjoying an evening in the Reserve and hear the Jackal wailing in the distance, know that you are hearing a sound that has echoed through the bushveld for millions of years.
