The black strip covers the back from the neck, where it is broader, to the tail. Underparts are whitish. Tail bushy, rufous and with a dark tip. Males are slightly larger and with a brighter coat.
Pups are uniformly coloured, lead grey to dark brown, with belly paler.
Sandy tinges in muzzle and cheeks. Ears long and pointed, rufous in colour. Distribution and ecology The most common of Kenyan jackals, distributed in suitable habitats throughout the country. Inhabits savannah, open plains, scrubland, open forest and semi-desert regions. Occupies mainly the intermediate habitat between the plains, preferred by the golden jackal, and deciduous forests, which are the haunt of the side-striped jackal.