The Golden Jackal (Canis aureus), also called Asian, Oriental or Eurasian Jackal is a predator who lives in Bulgaria. In appearance it resembles a small wolf, and the muzzle resembles a fox. The body length is between 71 and 85 centimeters, the tail is 20-36 cm, height 45-50 cm and weighs 9 to 19 kg.
According to the latest genetic research the golden jackal is rather relative to gray wolves and dogs than with other types of jackals.
In winter the color of the coat is pale yellowish, even yellowish gray with a red or black hue. His tail is orange-gray with a black tip.
The Golden Jackal inhabits Central Africa through the Middle East, Central Asia and to India.
The Jackal locally inhabits forest areas and can often been seen near settlements, especially around the villages. As dens usually uses a variety of natural niches and grooves, crevices in rocks, sometimes holes of badgers or foxes, but also dig its own holes.
Jackal eats small animals and birds, but also turtles, snakes, frogs, fish, insects, snails, etc. Eats also carrion left over from prey to other predators. And many plants and fruits. When live closer to villages, sometimes it attacks hens.
Jackal is monogamous species in which the pairs are formed for life. The breeding period is from late January to March. Gestation lasts 60-63 days. Youngs are born from late March to late May. They are usually 4 to 8. The mother feeds them with milk 2-3 months, but when they became 2-3 weeks old, she begins to feed them a bit of chewed meat.
In the autumn the young jackals become independent and begin to hunt individually or in groups of 2 to 4 jackals.
Females reach sexual maturity at one year, and males at 2.
Jackal hunt both at night and during the day, alone or in pairs, rarely in small groups.
Life duration is between 12 and 14 years.
