This jackal lives in the horn of Africa and Southern Africa. They live mostly in open areas of woodland, grassland, and in open bush land. The length of their body from their nose to the base of the tail is 18-36 in. They have a pointed fox-like face with large pointed ears and a very bushy tail. Its distinctive marking is its golden color with the black and silver marking running down the saddle of its back.
Scent glands are present on the face and the anus and genital regions.
Black backed jackals have 6-8 mammae. They will readily scavenge, and are often seen around lion, leopard and hyena kills. They do not seem to have a preference to any one particular type of food, they will eat whatever is available. They have been known to attack livestock such as sheep and goats, which makes them the target of farmers. In this way, too, they are like coyotes in North America.