Jackals are clever, small wild dogs that live in groups or pairs. They’re curious and fast, which helps them explore and find food in dry places like deserts and grasslands. Kids love learning how these smart animals work together and use their ears and nose to find food!
Watch a Jackal in Action!
See a jackal run, howl, and explore in this fun video made just for kids:
What is a Jackal?
Jackals are wild dogs that live in Africa, Europe, and Asia. They are smaller than wolves but bigger than foxes.
- They have long legs and bushy tails.
- They’re smart and can find food by hunting or scavenging.
- They usually live in pairs or small family groups.
Where do Jackals Live?
Jackals live in warm places with open land and bushes. They like to stay where they can hide and roam easily.
- Africa: savannas and deserts
- Asia: grasslands and forest edges
- Europe: south‑central parts, near fields and woods
What do Jackals Eat?
Jackals eat lots of different foods! They are not picky eaters.
- Small animals like mice, birds, and lizards
- Fruit and berries when they can find them
- They sometimes eat leftovers from larger animals
How Big is a Jackal?
Jackals are about as long as a child’s backpack and weigh as much as a big school bag!
- Length: around 2–3 feet (60–90 cm)
- Height at shoulder: about 1–1.5 feet (30–45 cm)
- Weight: about 15–30 pounds (7–14 kg)—like two or three grocery bags
What Sound Do Jackals Make?
Jackals make lots of sounds like howls, yelps, barking, and whining to talk to each other. They howl especially at dawn and dusk, like singing together!
Cool Jackal Facts
Jackals are super interesting. Here are fun facts just for you:
- They howl to tell family where they are.
- They can run about 10 mph (16 km/h) for a long time
- Jackals usually stay close to their mate for life.
- They mark territories with special smells from their paws.
- They can eat fruit, bugs, and even leftovers from big animals.
- Sometimes they help their parents care for younger siblings.
- They use high-pitched howls to warn others.
- They are most busy when the sun rises and sets.
- Jackals help keep nature clean by eating leftovers.
Printables and Coloring Fun
Coloring and learning go hand‑in‑hand. Grab these fun resources:
Jackals in the Eco‑System
Jackals play an important role in nature, helping keep everything balanced.
- They keep small animal numbers in check.
- They clean up leftovers from bigger animals.
- They’re not endangered and are found in many places
Ask a Grown‑Up to Help You Learn More
Want to discover more awesome jackal facts? Ask a grown-up to explore these pages with you:
Fun Questions About Jackals
A jackal is a small wild dog that lives in warm places and hunts small animals.
Yes! They usually live with a partner or in a small family group.
They eat small animals, fruit, and even leftovers from bigger animals.
They are about 2–3 feet long and weigh as much as two grocery bags.
They bark, yelp, whine, and howl—especially together in the morning and evening.
Jackals live in Africa, Asia, and parts of Europe, mostly in open lands and bushes.
Yes, they can run about 10 mph (16 km/h) for a long time.
No, jackals are not endangered and are doing well in many places.
Yes, they usually stay with the same partner for their whole lives.
They howl to talk to each other and tell others “this is our home.”
Ways to Donate and Support Jackals
You can help protect jackals by supporting wildlife groups that save where they live and study them to keep them safe.
Sources: Wikipedia, Live Science, Creative Commons, Britannica.com and Freesound.org
Alphabetical list of animals that start with J
A full alphabetical list of popular animal names that begin with the letter J for toddlers and preschool kids.
Which one should be the next Alphabetimal? Let us know on our facebook page.
All animals A-Z
Animal phonics alphabet
Animals that start with common phonics digraphs
Animal facts for kids
Other animal collections
Try our Printable Alphabet Worksheets! Download a FREE SAMPLE or preview all 200+ on Etsy.com or TeachersPayTeachers.com