habitat_narrative
Terrestrial
Side-striped Jackals are found in a range of habitats. These include game areas through farmland to towns within the broad-leaved savannah zones, including wooded habitats, bush, abandoned cultivation, marshes and montane habitats up to 2,700 m asl (Ginsberg et al. 1990). Side-striped Jackals favour thickly wooded country and tend to avoid open savannah grasslands (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). They frequently occur near rural dwellings and farm buildings, and penetrate peri-urban and urban areas (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Throughout their distributional range they are closely associated with well-watered habitats (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).Where Side-striped Jackals occur sympatrically with other canid species, they may avoid competition by ecological segregation (Fuller et al. 1989). In such areas of sympatry, Side-striped Jackals usually occupy areas of denser vegetation, while Black-backed Jackals and African Golden Wolves (previously thought to be Golden Jackals) dominate in the more open areas (Loveridge 1999; Loveridge & Macdonald 2003).
As with other jackal species, Side-striped Jackals are omnivorous and opportunistically change their diet based on local and seasonal food availability (Mills & Hes 1997; Atkinson et al. 2002; Skinner & Chimimba 2005). For example, on commercial farmland in the Zimbabwean highveld, it eats mainly wild fruit (30%) and small (< 1 kg) to medium-sized (> 1 kg) mammals (27% and 23%, respectively), with the remainder of its diet comprising birds, invertebrates, grass and carrion (Atkinson et al. 2002). Skinner and Chimimba (2005) concur that these jackals consume a relatively high proportion of plant materials and that they will also feed on carrion when it is available. In fact, the success of the Side-striped Jackal can be largely attributed to its ability to feed on a variety of food sources (Mills & Hes 1997). Side-striped Jackals also have a more generalized dentition compared to Black-backed Jackals and thus, a broader dietary niche (Skinner & Chimimba 2005).
Side-striped Jackals can occur solitarily, in pairs or in family groups of up to seven individuals (Loveridge & Macdonald 2003). Larger groups are generally made up of a mated, monogamous pair and their young (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). Mating is most commonly observed between June and July. Gestation is approximately 60 days and litters can range between four and six pups which are born between August and November (Skinner & Chimimba 2005). The pair will assist in the rearing of the young pups and will return every 2â3 intervals through the night to feed the pups regurgitated food (Loveridge & Macdonald 2003).
Ecosystem and cultural services: None specifically reported.
