Canis mesomelas (Black-backed Jackal)

The Black-backed Jackal (Canis mesomelas) is a small canid found across sub-Saharan Africa, from East Africa to southern Africa. Named for the dark saddle along its back, this opportunistic carnivore hunts small mammals, birds, and invertebrates, and also scavenges kills made by larger predators. In the Masai Mara's acacia-commiphora bushlands and grasslands, jackals are commonly seen singly or in pairs, particularly during early morning and evening hours. They occupy a crucial ecological niche as both predator and scavenger, helping to control rodent populations while benefiting from the kills of lions, leopards, and other large carnivores in this game reserve.